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PROFITABLE 



POULTRY KEEPING 



BY 



s 

STEPHEN BEALE 




EDITED WITH ADDITIONS BY 

MASON C. WELD 



ILLUSTRATED ,^-~— 

MAY 9 1884. 

NEW YORK 

GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS 

9 Lafayette Place 



LONDON : Broadway, Ludgate Hill 



AZ1 

n l 



Copyright, 1884, 

By JOSEFH. X/. BjUVMIRE. 



INTRODUCTION. 






I esteem it a privilege and a pleasure to introduce this 
excellent hand-book to all who are practically interested in 
keeping poultry. I would say to the veriest tyro, provided he 
had a modicum of common sense : " Here, take this book of 
Stephen Beale's, study it carefully in whatever it is applic- 
able to your needs, and follow it. You will find it a safe 
guide, and you will almost surely come out well with your 
poultry the first year." Any old poultry-keeper may study it 
with profit, and if he finds some few passages to criticise, and 
opinions advanced with which he does not agree, let him con- 
sider that no two parts of the country are subject to the same 
conditions of soil, climate and surroundings. 

English current literature is far richer than ours in the 
results of experience in poultry matters, and the systems in 
vogue there and in France among the most successful poultry 
raisers are very much superior to general practice in this 
country, so that Mr. Beale's obvious familiarity with the best 
practice in those countries, in connection with his own large 
experience, is a very great advantage to the book. 

The author shows himself upon every page to be a practi- 
cal man, fertile in expedients, gifted with rare common sense, 
with a knowledge of his subject in matters of useful and 
essential detail, and one can readily pardon a little verbose- 
ness of style and occasional repetitions. It is a business 
book, and as such it should be regarded. It was not written 
for fanciers, though no poultry book (and these are, gener- 



4 Introduction. 

ally, primarily fanciers' books) gives better instruction in 
regard to the successful rearing of fancy poultry. Yet, giv- 
ing well-bred poultry of all kinds their true value, it is replete 
with instruction how to make the most money, or at least the 
most profit, by their use. 

The public is familiar with the advantages derived from 
the employment of thorough-bred and pure-bred males in the 
breeding of all other kinds of domestic animals. We all know 
how that, with sheep and swine especially, grades and cross 
breeds of the first generation are much more profitable to rear 
for their useful qualities than full bloods are, for the reason 
that in such a first cross those high qualities which have 
become fixed by a long course of breeding and selection assert 
themselves with peculiar force. It seems as if poultry raisers 
had been peculiarly negligent of or blind to this natural law, 
and had neglected to practise that which in the rearing of 
other kinds of farm stock they consider of vital importance. 

The chapter on " Cross-bred Poultry" puts this subject in 
a very clear light, but hardly dwells sufficiently, to my notion, 
on the fact that where it is difficult to obtain pure-bred poul- 
try of different breeds, such as one desires to cross, grades 
may be reared in two or three years by crossing a pure male 
bird of the wished-for breed upon, first, a good flock of com- 
mon females, the next year (changing the male) upon the pul- 
lets of the first year, and so on. By the time the second or 
third cross is made the grade birds will possess almost fully 
the useful qualities of the breed from which the cross is 
taken, and the hens may be used just as if they were pure in 
crossing with a cock of a different breed for market poultry or 
for layers, as Mr. Beale directs. 



Introduction. 5 

Poultry keeping for profit is the laudable ambition of the 
great majority of poultry keepers, and poultry are really kept 
to the profit of their owners, in the great majority of cases. 
Little account is made of them, and no account is kept of 
their expenses or of the income derived from them, and yet it 
is the settled conviction of the frugal housewife, who looks 
more or less after the poultry, and of the farmer, who sees 
how large a part of the store bill is settled by eggs, and who 
brings home from market or from the shipper who buys his 
dressed poultry at Christmas-time a satisfactory roll of bank- 
notes, that poultry is really a paying farm crop. 

Then, too, when a regular debit and credit account is kept 
with the poultry, and a fair allowance is made for labor and 
interest, the profit always shows up to be something enor- 
mous — often one hundred per cent, or even more. 

If there really is so much profit in poultry keeping, is it 
not strange that when undertaken on a large scale it is always 
a losing business ? Few people consider that farm-yard fowls 
of all kinds, ducks and geese included, get a great part of 
their living, and in some parts of the year the whole of if, 
from what would otherwise be lost or wasted, and from 
insects, snails and worms, which are a positive harm to grow- 
ing crops. Hence the conclusion is a just one that poultry, if 
well managed, are really most profitable as an adjunct to 
other farm and garden operations, especially as but little time 
is generally devoted to their care which would be more use- 
fully employed. 

This amount of, so to speak, wasted food is limited, and 
when fowls or other poultry arc multiplied upon a single farm 
or circumscribed area, their care soon becomes sufficient to 



6 Introduction. 

require the entire attention of one or more persons. Thus 
the point is soon reached when it will be easy to see there is 
no hundred per cent, profit in the business. 

Parallel cases are numerous. Twenty or thirty hives of bees 
may use all the bee-pasturage within the radius of the usual 
flight of the honey-gatherers, and, where this is the fact, the 
addition of a dozen hives would result in more labor to the 
bee-keeper and in the harvesting of a good deal less honey. 

Thus it is every poultry keeper's province to study care- 
fully his own resources and make the most of them ; and 
while Mr. Beale has carefully avoided advising the keeping of 
poultry on a large scale, and in fact discourages it, the person 
desirous of making the experiment will find the book replete 
with sound views and practical hints in regard to its success- 
ful accomplishment. 

Mr. Beale can hardly be as familiar as I am with the 
wretched manner in which a great part of our poultry is sent 
to market, and the shocking condition in which it arrives. 
New York receives thousands of tons of poultry which must 
be closed out in wholesale lots at ruinously low prices, and 
which is then sold at a small advance at retail, to secure a 
quick sale and prevent total loss. If a reform could be insti- 
tuted by which the common farmers of the interior and West- 
ern States would properly fatten, pluck, dress, and ship their 
poultry, somewhat after the system advised in this book, it 
would add almost inconceivably to the profits of poultry 
keeping to these people as well as to the general wealth of the 
country. I sincerely hope that this may be one of the results 

of its publication. 

MASON C. WELD. 

Closter, N. J., March, 1884. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Introduction .......•♦• 3 

CHAPTER I. 

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 

The Poultry Mania — Cochins Thirty Years ago — Poultry Keeping often a 
Hob>>y — Recent increase of interest in Pcultry Keeping — Karmers and 
Poultry — Farms in France —Consumption of Eggs— Trices of Eggs — 
Value of Fresh Eggs— Poultry in Paris .••••• 11 

CHAPTER II. 

WHO SHOULD KEEP POULTRY? 

Who may Keep Poultry — Value of Eggs for Children and Invalids — Who 
(should not Keep Poultry — Pleasure in Pursuit — Suburban Resident's 
— Size of Runs — Cot* agers and Poultry Keeping — Does Poultry 
Keeping Pay ? 13 

CHAPTER III. 

LAYING OUT THE POULTRY-YARD. 

Gradual Commencement best — Selection of Ground — Separate Houses — 
Aspect of Houses— Walls of Houses — Dividing the Yard — Plans— A 
Chicken Yard ......•©.. 25 

CHAPTER IV. 

POULTRY HOUSES. 

Importance of Houses — Cost — Elaborate Hou-es not Needed — Good 
Houses Required — Size of Houses and Runs— Adapting exist'ng 
Buildings — Che:. p Houses — Sheds — Houses in Gardens . . .30 



8 Contents. 



ciiapter v. 

THE ERECTION OF POULTRY HOUSES. 



PAGE 



Material to be Used— Tenant's Fixtures — Too Large Houses Objectionable 
— Foundation— Saving of Timber — Frame- Work — Windows and Doors 
— Ventilation — Floors — Artificial Heating 37 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE FITTINGS AND RUNS. 

Perches — Nest Boxes — Sheds — Unfenced Runs— Space to be Given — 

Fencing . . . 48 

, CHAPTER VII. 

MORE ABOUT HOUSES AND RUNS. 

Effect of Confinement— Houses on Wheels— The Best Plan for Farms — Use 
of Fruit Trees in Runs — Kinds of Trees to Plant — Fruit Bushes — 
Other Aids 56 

CHAPTER VIII. 

CHICKEN-HOUSES. 

Early Chickens — Position of Chicken House — The Attendant's House — 
Gravel and Grass Run — The House — Floor — Provision against Rats — 
Size of House 63 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE KIND OF FOWLS TO KEEP. 

Choice of Breeds — Errors in Selection — Cross and pure bred Fowls — Breeds 
to bo cho'.Jn — Confinement or liberty - Hardy Breeds — Non-sitting 
Breeds — Table Fowls — Sitters and Mothers — General utility Fowls . 69 

CHAPTER X. 

THE BREEDS OF POULTRY. 

Andalusians — Aseels — Bantams — Brahmas — Cochins — Dominiques — Dork- 
ings — Frencn — Game — Hamburghs — Langshans — Leghorns — Malays 
— Minorcas — Plymouth Rocks — Polish— Scotch Greys — Spanish — 
Silkies 79 

CHAPTER XI. 

CROSS-BRED POULTRY. 

Farm-yard Mongrels — First Cross only to be Used — Value of Cross-breeding 
— Pure-bred Fowls to be the Fuundation — Sale of Eggs and Chickens 
— Methods of Cross-breeding — Some Crosses — Improving present 

O COCKS *•■•••■••■•. 1_<J 



Contents. 

CHAPTER XIL 

DUCKS. 



PAGE 



Ducks very profitable— Water needed for Breeders— Not to be kept with 
Hens— Duck Farms— Housing— The Wild Duck— The Aylesbury— 
The Rouen— The Pekin— The Cayuga— The Muscovy— Ornamental 
Varieties— Keeping in Small Runs— Forcing— Breeding— Hatching— 
Reaiing — Feeding— Preparing Rice ...... 133 

CHAPTER XIII. 

GEESE AND TURKEYS. 

Geese in England— Bene6t to Crops— Breeds— Weights attained— Manage- 
ment — Turkeys — Said to be delicate — Bieeds — Management — 
Fattening 147 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE SELECTION OF STOCK BIRDS. 

Importance of Care in Selection — Influence of Parents— Selection for Layers 
—Selection for Table Fowls— State of Breeding Stock— Buying Birds 
—Buying Eggs for Sitting— Space for Breeding Stock—Birds not to be 
Related— Evils of In-breeding— Number of Hens to Cock — When to 
expect Fertile Eggs — Feeding — Importance of Health and Condition . 153 

CHAPTER XV. 

HATCHING. 

Shall Hens sit themselves ?— Selection of Place for Sitting— Hatching 
T> oxes — Making the Nests— Food and Water— Setting the "Hen — 
Feeding— Airing the Eggs — Kind of Food for Hens — Dust Bath — 
Testing the Eggs — Period of Incubation — Management duiing Hatching 
—Helping the Chicks I 64 

CHAPTER XVI. 

ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 

A. Practical Success - Past Attempts — Difficulties — Later Attempts — The 
Turning Point — Rouillier's Machine — Prejudice Against the Hydro- 
Incuhator — The Incubator Trials— How Superior to Previous Machines 

— Drawback to Hydro-Incubator— Voitellier's nydro — Owen's Tabular 

— Arnold's E^'g Oven — Self Heating Incubators — Hearson's — New Cen- 
tennial— The "Perfect Hatcher ,, — The Thermostatic — The Novelty — 
j3rooders, etc. ....•*•••-• *™ 



io Contents. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

REARING— NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL. 



PACE 



Size of Eggs — Supposed Ways of Testing Sex and Fertility of Eggs — For- 
mation of Egg — The Young Chicks — First Day after Hatching — Food 
— Coops — Influence of Early Management — Coddling Injurious — First 
Three or Four Days — Second Stage — Tbe Run — Food — Meat Diet — 
Green Food — System in Feeding — Co'd Mothers — Troubles with 
Hens — Artificial Mothers— Management — Outdoor Rearers — Heat — 
Overcrowding— Teaching Chicks to Eat— Turkeys as Rearers — water* 193 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

FOOD AND FEEDING. 

Food the Fuel of all Life— Effect of Bad Food— Effect of Over-feeding— 
Food fcr Fowls in Confinement not to be s-ame as when at Liberty — 
What is Needed in Food — Qualities of the Grains — Barley — Oats — 
Wheat — Maize — Buckwheat — Pulse — Rice — Bone-meal— Water • 211 

CHAPTER XIX. 

EARLY EGGS AND CHICKENS. 

Early E/g^ and Chickens bring High Prices — How to Secure them — Pullets 

to be Ust'd— Hens to be Mated Early — Good Housing and Feeding . 220 

CHAPTER XX. 

TIIE PREPARATION OF TABLE FOWLS. 

Superiority of French System — Breeds of Fowls Suitable for Fattening — 
Methods — Duration of Process — Food — Fattening and Cramming 
Machines — Cramming by Hand — Killing Fowls — Dressing in France — 
Shaping-boards — Advantage of Dressing — Caponising . , ■ 224 

CHAPTER XXI. 

THE DISEASES OF POULTRY. 

General Treatment of Disease — Causes — Apoplexy — Bronchitis — Bumble 
Foot — Catarrh — Consumption — Cramp — Cropbound — Diarrhoea — 
Diphtheria — Egg Organs — Feather Eating — Gapes — Roup— Cholera . 236 

CHAPTER XXII. 

POINTS OF MANAGKMENT. 

Importance of Details — Keeping an Account — Rotation of Crops — Poultry 
Manure — The Dust-bath — The Pieservation of E gs — Packing Eggs — 
Sending Eggs to Market 245 



PROFITABLE POULTRY KEEPING. 



CHAPTER I. 

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 

The Poultry Mania — Coclans Thirty Years ago — Poultry Keeping often a Ilobhy 
— Recent increase of interest in Poultry Keeping — Farmers and Poultry — 
Farms in France — Consumption of Eggs — Prices of Eggs — Value of F:et>h 
Eggs — Poultry in Paris. 

There is an old adage, and one the truth of which is proved 
in our experiences almost every day, that " there is nothing 
new under the sun," and probably many of those who can 
remember the poultry mania of thirty years ago, may have 
been led to think that the undoubted revival of interest 
in poultry which has taken place within the last few years, 
is simply a repetition of that mania. Then, as now, 
poultry sold for fabulous prices, and it was no uncommon 
thing to hear of a bird having realised $200, or a setting 
of eggs $25 ; and the fact that last year (1882) a game cock 
was sold at Birmingham for $500, and at the Crystal 
Palace show a game bantam cockerel was claimed for $250, 
would at the first sight appear to warrant such a con- 
clusion as we have named. But on considering the matter 
a little further, we find a marked difference in every respect, 
save only the large prices paid for specimens. The mania of 



12 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

thirty years ago was almost entirely relating to one breed 
— the Cochin — whereas now all varieties of poultry receive 
a share of attention, although there are some greater 
favourites and more valuable than others. Then, the 
general belief was that the fowls named — which, by the 
way, were new, and had only recently been imported from 
China — were the greatest layers and best table fowls ever 
known, that their importation was of national importance, 
and that to obtain possession of some of these birds would 
be a sure road to wealth. How this delusion arose — for 
delusion it undoubtedly was, the Cochin then and now 
being the least profitable of all our breeds of domestic 
poultry — it is not our province here to inquire, except to 
say that we believe it was, like almost every other mania, 
due to designing men, who largely profited by it. At the 
present day, poultry fanciers, i.e., those who go in for 
poultry breeding as a hobby, without caring much for the 
economic qualities of the birds, and who are the persons 
that pay such high prices for first class specimens, have 
no claim to be regarded as public benefactors, and neither 
deceive themselves nor any one else by posing in such a 
manner. They say plainly that they keep poultry as a 
hobby ; it ministers to their pleasure when striving after 
an ideal standard, which may or may not improve the birds 
so far as their profitable qualities are concerned, but for 
that they care little. They claim the same liberty as the 
fox-hunter or the sportsman, and are willing to pay for their 
pleasure ; and if they pay very high prices for birds, they 
do so in the same way as others do for fancy stock, and 
can generally get their money back again. Therefore, it 
will be seen at once that there is a very marked difference 
between the poultry fanciers of thirty years ago and those 
of to-day, and there is very little probability of any repeti- 
tion of the collapse of the present mania, if such it can 



General Considerations. 13 

be called, for there is now no deception as to the end in 
view. 

In considering the question of profitable poultry keeping 
there must be no mistake made by mixing up the poultry 
fancy, by which term we must be understood to mean those 
who breed for fancy points, and the revived interest in 
poultry, of which we have already spoken. The latter is 
due to an altogether different cause. Recent events have 
compelled agriculturists to turn their attention to matters 
which they have heretofore neglected, and perhaps re- 
garded with contempt. Our State and county agricultural 
societies throughout the countrv have lon^ been in the habit 
of offering prizes for poultry from a fancier's standpoint. 
This is well, perhaps, but they should not only not neglect, 
but should make especially prominent, the properly agricul- 
tural — that is, useful — breeds. It is, besides, a sign of the 
times, having an important bearing on the future of poultry 
raising, that some prominent societies have offered prizes for 
cross-bred fowls, shown with reference to their value upon 
the table, and one, at least, has conditioned the award of 
prizes upon a statement of the breed and sex of the parent 
fowls and the age of the chickens. But it is not the only sign, 
for all over the country more attention is being paid to poultry, 
both by farmers and cottagers ; and we think that the way in 
which the matter is now being treated proves that there is more 
chance of success than there ever has been before. Those 
who have the best opportunity of succeeding are now turning 
their attention to it — we mean farmers who have land at 
their disposal ; and there is little talk of establishing poul- 
try farms pure and simple, which never have, and we do 
not think ever will, succeed. Buildings, food, and wages 
have cost so much that the managers of poultry farms in 
the past have been induced to over-crowd, in the hope of 
getting a larger return ; disease has crept in, with ruin and 
disaster as a natural result. Examples of this kind have 



14 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

been numerous enough ; but the tales which a few years ago 
were current as to extensive poultry farms in France, so 
plausible and theoretically sound as they appeared to be, 
doubtless tempted many to venture on such a speculation. 
These huge farms never existed, and were all a myth ; and 
we have the testimony of Mr. II. M. Jenkins and of Mr. 
Sutherland, who visited France on behalf of the Royal 
Agricultural Commission, that whilst almost every peasant 
keeps a large number of fowls, and derives a considerable 
portion of his income from them, they never saw what could 
in any sense be termed a poultry farm. There are some 
establishments where eggs arc hatched in large numbers for 
the peasants of the district, but the latter provide the eggs in 
the first instance, and take the chickens when hatched ; so 
that such places arc simply hatching factories. Upon this 
phase of the question we shall have more to say later on. 

Poultry and eggs are of such well-nigh universal production 
that it is difficult to estimate the numbers produced with con- 
fidence that we even approximate the truth. In regard to 
those received in the markets of some of our cities a fairly 
accurate record is kept, but this is accurate only as to those 
transported by railroads and steamboats, and probably falls 
short of the facts. Thus, in the city of New York the 
amount of poultry reported as received for the year 1883, 
ending November 30th, was 27,592,050 lbs., valued at $4,310,- 
604 — a little more than 15 cents a pound. 

The number of eggs received within the same period seems 
enormous, and yet does not equal the demand, as shown by 
the number imported from Europe, and by the high prices 
paid in our eastern cities — often 40 to 60 cents a dozen in 
winter. The receipts of eggs in New York, for 1883, are 
reported as exceeding 534,000,000, valued at $10,018,000, or 
about 22J cents a dozen. Of the total number, four million 
nine hundred and sixty-eight thousand (4,968,000) were im- 
ported from Europe at a cost of $82,800, which is 20 cents a 



General Considerations. 15 

dozen after paying all expenses. Notwithstanding that eggs 
are admitted free of duty, there must be some sort of relation 
between the price of eggs and the price of feed upon which 
they are made, and it seems strange that, with our cheap grain 
and other "chicken feed/' greaves, pork-scrap, etc., which we 
are constantly exporting, it is possible to import eggs with 
proQt. Though the quantity is small, it shows that the 
demand for eggs is increasing faster than the supply. 

In England a different state of things prevails, for, during 
the last four or five years, which are marked by a great 
increase in population as well as in the consumption of poul- 
try products, there has been no appreciable increase of impor- 
tations. It is clear that the English home producer is waking 
up to the advantage which he has over the foreign one. He 
is near the market, and can get his goods in to take advantage 
of its fluctuations ; and with fresh eggs and poultry, in form 
to suit the trade, the highest prices can be realized, and it 
would seem that, unless the price of feed in England were 
very much higher than abroad, the home producer would soon 
be able entirely to shut out foreign competition in first-class 
goods. In America of course the producers have no excuse ; 
they simply let that eighty-two thousand dollars slip through 
their fingers because of their neglect to see and act up to 
their own interests. 

The prices now paid for fresh eggs, not only in the cities 
but in all great manufacturing centres "would have been re- 
garded as fabulous a few years ago. "We can remember that 
twenty years ago fresh eggs could be bought at 12| to 20 cents 
a dozen; but now these are never less than 2 cents each, and 
oftener 3 cents, 4 cents, and even 5 cents each. We have 
been informed by a lady who lives within two or three miles 
of a military head-quarters that during June and July she 
can sell about thirty dozen eggs per week at sixty cents 
a dozen. They are sent for to her own door, the cash 
paid down, and she could sell twice as many if she had 
them. This is undoubtedly an exceptional instance, but 



1 6 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

only exceptional as to the time of the year, for the price is 
not an uncommon one for the winter season. Doctors, when 
ordering their patients to have eggs, nearly always insist upon 
their heing fresh, as they know how much hetter they are 
than when even only a few days old. And cooks can tell 
the same story with respect to the way in which they use 
them. Only those who have kept fowls of their own, or 
been favoured by getting properly fresh ones, know the real 
pleasure of eating an egg ; and' there are many who cannot 
eat one if more than three or four days old. And when we 
consider how important an addition in its varied uses an 
egg is to the breakfast, luncheon, dinner, or tea table, it 
will be seen how the matter comes home to every one, apart 
from all economic questions. In the same way, but perhaps 
not to so great an extent, does the raising of chickens affect 
us. The prices which are demanded by poulterers for the 
miserable little things we see in their shops, are prohibitive 
to the great bulk of the population, and even those w r ho can 
afford to get them do so reluctantly. The display to be 
seen every week in the Halles Centrals at Paris has no 
counterpart in this country ; but in France the breeds are 
studied, and those encouraged which are the best for table 
purposes. They are fattened skilfully, and presented in 
an enticing manner, with the result that chickens are almost 
a regular article of diet with large numbers of the people, 
for in Paris during 1880 the average consumption of fowls 
was 251bs. per head of the population. These are ques- 
tions which require to be dealt with in detail, and cannot 
be more than mentioned in what is simply an introductory 
chapter. That there is much for our home producers to learn 
no one can doubt, and it shall be our endeavour to supply 
in a practical form tbe latest and best information upon so 
important a subject. Our object is to stimulate those who 
have the necessary space at their disposal to take advantage 



General Considerations. 1 7 

of their opportunities, and not continue supinely to ignore, 
or from prejudice to neglect that which, well managed, must 
prove a source of profit. Farmers and villagers will find 
the help they need, but we shall not overwhelm them by too 
much of detail, — seeking to be practical first of all. We 
shall also show how suburban residents and others may 
supply their own tables, and, in fact, endeavour to make our 
remarks such as shall be valuable to all who may read them. 



1 8 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 



CHAPTER XL 

WHO SHOULD KEEP POULTRY? 

Who may Keep Poultry — Value of Eggs for Children and Invalids — Who should 
not Keep Poultry — Pleasure in Pursuit — Suburban Residents — Size of Runs 
— Cottagers and Poultry Keeping — Does Poultry Keeping Pay ? 

It may be questioned whether the title which we have placed 
at the head of this chapter is rightly worded, and probably 
there are many who will suggest that it should read, "Who 
may keep poultry?" This would not, however, give as 
much latitude as we require, for, although it is our intention 
to show who may, we go a little further and say that all 
who have the opportunity of doing so should keep fowls, 
whether the number kept be great or small. It is a direct 
benefit to the individual to have fresh eggs to place upon 
the table, and what is good for the individual must be good 
also for the nation, and where there are children in a house- 
hold nothing can be better than eggs for them. The 
natural object for which eggs are laid is not to provide food 
for human beings, but to multiply the race, and the egg 
contains within itself ail the material necessary for the 
formation of the bird and for its support during the process. 
Thus, there can be no question that eggs are, in the same 
way as milk is, most suitable for children's food, and it is 
impossible to find in any other substance of equal bulk 
nutriment so equably mixed. We indirectly intimated in 
the first chapter that as the egg gets older decomposition 



• Who should Keep Poultry? 19 

sets in, though it may not he noticed, and much of the 
virtue is gone out of it after a few days. The fact that- 
chicken s hatched from stale eggs are never so strong as 
those from perfectly fresh ones, and that the fresher the 
egg the stronger the chick will be, is corroborative of this. 
We believe, therefore, that where eggs can enter largely 
into the food of children they will prove of incalculable 
benefit to them, that is, if given perfectly fresh. Thus it 
will be seen that, apart from any selfish motive or desire 
for pecuniary gain, where there are children in the house- 
hold, it is very desirable indeed that fowls should be kept 
if there is accommodation for them. During sickness also, 
or for invalids, they are invaluable, and we well remember 
how a lady friend was kept alive through a long and severe 
illness by eggs we were able to supply her from our own 
yard. When appetite failed for everything else, she could 
always eat an egg ; and the doctor said that she could 
not possibly have recovered had it not been for the support 
thus afforded. 

This naturally leads us on to the question, " Who should 
keep poultry? "and perhaps we can best answer it in the 
first place by seeing who should not keep them. We have 
often known birds kept in the most unlikely places — in 
dark, damp cellars, in attics or rooms, in close unhealthy 
sheds, and on ground that is damp if not actually wet. 
The ingenuity of man is very great, and he often makes 
experiments in the keeping of live stock wdiicb may com- 
mand our admiration because of their very audacity, but 
which we can see are doomed to failure. Certainly we 
should no more like to eat an egg laid by a bird living in 
such places as these, than we should care for milk from 
cows kept in close, badly-ventilated town sheds, or bread 
out of some uncleanly bakehouse. It may be assumed, 
therefore, that we do not advocate the keeping of fowls in 

c2 



20 Profitable Potdtry Keeping. . 

unhealthy places, and that unless there can be provided a 
reasonable amount of open space, a light, comfortable, dry, 
and well ventilated house, it is much better to do without 
the birds altogether, and trust to buying eggs from those 
who have more favourable opportunities for keeping them. 
Natural laws must be respected if success is to be attained, 
and we need to remember that fowls when wild are accus- 
tomed to live always in the open air, to have perfect freedom, 
and if we entirely reverse these conditions we cannot reason- 
ably expect to do so without paying the penalty. Domes- 
tication undoubtedly means an alteration of the habits of 
the birds, but we must make this alteration as small as 
possible, and the less it is the more likely are we to keep 
them healthy and thriving. Some breeds are stronger and 
can stand the change in their natural habits better than 
others, and it is always well for the poultry-keeper to select 
such if his desire is to make his poultry pay. We shall 
show which breeds these are later on. 

There is another consideration which will affect those 
who only wish to keep a few fowls, and that is the pleasure 
and healthfulness of the pursuit. How many there are 
whose occupations compel them to be indoors all day, and 
they know that exercise is necessary to preserve their health. 
They find it most difficult, however, to go out when they 
have no direct object in view. Walking, especially alone, 
soon gets wearisome ; or perhaps every spot of the district 
around has been explored, and the result often is that the 
exercise is not taken. The keeping of poultry has been 
to many a very great boon in this way, compelling regular 
exercise in the open air, and we recently met with an 
eminent scientific man who had taken up the pursuit as 
a hobby, on this account alone. We know that in our own 
case it was so, and we found not only pleasure but renewed 
health and strength whilst attending to our feathered pets. 



Conveniences requisite. 21 

Commencing with those who only desire to supply their 
own table, there are hundreds of cottagers and suburban 
residents in the outskirts of our great towns, as well as 
in the country at large, who might keep fowls very easily 
indeed. Recent years have marked a great improvement 
in the houses built in both town and country, so far as 
open yards or gardens attached to them are concerned, 
and in a few years we hope to see all those dwellings done 
away with, where the back yards are just about the size of 
a decent scullery. Taking the smaller houses first, if the 
yard or back garden be a good sized one it will not be 
difficult to give a piece of it, say about 12ft. or 15ft. long 
by 6ft. wide, for the purpose of a poultry house and run, 
which will be amply sufficient for half-a-dozen fowls. How 
to build the house and prepare the run we shall describe in due 
course, the cost of which need not be very great, whilst the 
pleasure and benefit will be incalculable. Suburban residents 
have generally a good strip of ground behind their houses, 
and sufficient can often be spared to keep from half-a-dozen to 
a score fowls, or even more where the place is an extensive 
one. If economy is no object, then the houses and runs can 
be made ornamental, and will add much to the appearance 
of the garden or grounds. For these also, we shall have 
something to say in the way of instructions as to how the 
yard should be laid out and the houses built. Then again 
as to cottagers, there are few in country places who could 
not keep a score of fowls and rear half a hundred chickens 
during the year. Any man handy with tools can easily 
make houses and necessary appliances, or adapt existing 
outhouses for the purpose, and at a very small cost. 
Ground is generally to be had at a low cost, but there are 
more often fields near over which the birds can wander with- 
out doing any harm, and this more than doubles the accom- 
modation without any proportionate cost. But that is not 



22 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

all, for birds at liberty can pick up the greater portion of 
their living, and we are sure every cottager might make a 
considerable addition to his income by the keeping of fowls. 
In France the small farmers and cottagers are they who 
keep the poultry, and supply the vast numbers of eggs 
and chickens, not only sent to Great Britain, but consumed 
at home, for it is estimated that in Paris 160 eggs for 
every head of the population are used each year. A 
cottager can easily attend to the birds himself, without 
interfering with his other work, can feed his birds cheaply, 
can realise the produce quickly, for there is always a good 
demand, especially if large houses are at hand, or if in a 
thickly populated district, and he will find himself a happier 
and better man for his efforts. 

We have now seen that country and suburban residents, 
great and small, not only may, but should keep poultry, 
and next we come to the farmer, who may be regarded as the 
most important of all, for with him it will be a matter of 
business, and he may produce upon a large scale if he goes 
into it at all. He has advantages which no one else 
possesses, having plenty of room for the birds, food for them 
at first cost, means of utilising their manure which no one 
else can have, and can graft poultry keeping on to his 
other work without any great extra expense. He has also 
means of getting his produce to market at once, and can 
make contracts with large consumers, hotels, &c, such as 
a smaller man cannot. But, of course, the business to be 
really successful will require thought and attention, which 
many of our farmers have heretofore refused to give ; but 
they are at last coming to see that " there is money in it," 
and it shall be our endeavour to help them in every way, so 
that they may succeed in their efforts. 

We must not conclude this chapter without answering 
the question so often put, " Does poultry-keeping pay ? " for 



" Does Poultry -keeping pay ?" 23 

that is the kernel of the whole matter, at least so far as 
many persons are concerned, though we think rich folks who 
only wish to supply their own table make too much of it. 
They are willing to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers, 
often at double what they could be bought for, and never 
grumble at the cost, and if they like to expend money on 
grand houses and runs, or on high-bred stock, they should 
not complain of what their eggs and chickens may cost. But 
to others we would say, " Yes, poultry will pay, if properly 
managed." Cottagers and private persons can generally 
half feed the birds by what is left from their own tables, 
and as an illustration of this, we know a gentleman who 
at one time was always grumbling at the cost of his wife's 
fowls, declaring that they did not pay. To prove this an 
account was kept during the next year, when it was found 
that the eggs cost actually only one cent each all the year 
through. Then as to farmers, we know a farmer who 
makes an annual profit of $500 out of his fowls, and his 
stock is by no means a large one, but he has been content 
to make his profit, and say nothing to any one. Every- 
where there is a constant demand for the produce, and 
there can be no question that poultry-keeping does pay, 
and pay well, where it is managed in a common-sense 
manner. 

We may here mention that it is a most desirable thing 
in all places where the poultry-keeping is regarded as a 
business, to keep a strict account of all expenditure and 
income, and of the produce of the fowls. It is a very wise 
thing for all poultry-keepers to do, even if they only have 
half-a-dozen birds for the sake of their eggs ; but when it 
is a question of profit, then we regard such an account 
as absolutely necessary, not only as a satisfaction to the 
owner, but also as a means of checking expenditure and 



24 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

preventing waste. Figures have a very deterrent effect, 
and many a man will refuse to spend, when he has to put 
it down in black and white, what he would be tempted to 
do if such were not involved. An account book need not 
be very elaborate, though it should be complete. 



Laying out a Poultry Yard. 25 



CHAPTER ILL 

LAYING-OUT THE POULTRY- YARD. 

Gradual Commencement best — Self ction of Ground— Separate Houses — Aspect 
of Houses — Walls of Houses— Dividing the Yard — Plans— Chicken Yards. 

We do not assume that those of our readers to whom the 
present work is specially applicable are all non-keepers of 
poultry at the present time, for probably the great majority 
have already stocks of poultry. As we have no means of 
knowing the present condition of their yards — and if we had 
it would be impossible to show in every case how they might 
be improved, if they need improvement — we shall describe 
the best ways of laying out a poultry-yard, of erecting the 
houses or adapting existing buildings, and by this means it 
will be very easy for the reader to apply the hints given 
to his own needs and requirements. Of course, those who 
contemplate commencing the keeping of fowls, or of laying 
out a new yard entirely, will find it easy sailing to adapt 
the plans we shall describe. It must not be thought, 
however, that we advise any one to commence poultry- 
keeping upon a large scale, unless he has had sufficient 
previous experience, and even then we think it much 
better to begin moderately, and gradually extend the scope 
of operations. We say this, not only because improve- 
ments can generally be made in the later-built houses, 
and that the whole yard is thus more easily got in hand, 
but also that the stock can be bred and not bought, 



26 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

which of itself will be a very great saving, as pure -bred 
birds cannot be purchased in large numbers. Therefore it 
is necessary to look ahead a little, and no one must expect 
to get into full working order all at once, as it will take twelve 
months at least to do this, where the intention is to keep 
large numbers ; but of course those who wish to keep only 
a few for their own household purposes can buy birds and 
have all going on smoothly in a short time. As an instance 
of the erroneous ideas not uncommon, we once heard of a 
brick manufacturer who, through the depression in trade, 
had some of his kilns thrown out of use. It was suggested 
to him that if wooden partitions were placed in these they 
would make capital fowl houses. He at once seized upon 
the idea, and talked about buying five thousand hens at once. 
If he had not met with some one who pointed out that, apart 
from his own inexperience, his place was thoroughly unsuitable 
for poultry, the land being strong clay, very damp, without 
grass, and only half a mile from the sea, he would probably 
have carried out his plan, and his enterprise could only 
have had one result, namely, an entire and dismal failure. 
Those who by false statements deceive others deserve more 
than ordinary reprobation, and the injury done is not con- 
fined to the immediate sufferers, but to the nation at large, 
as many who might succeed are prevented making the 
attempt from these failures. 

The first thing to do, whether the number to be kept is 
large or small, is to decide upon where the birds are to bo 
placed, and the amount of ground that can be given to 
them. In many places this will be very speedily settled ; for 
instance, in small suburban and cottage gardens, if fowls 
are to be kept at all, there will be little if any choice of 
position. But where the ground is more extensive, as upon 
farms, more consideration will be necessary. In the latter 
case it may be decided to scatter the houses all about th^ 



Position of Fowl House. 27 

farm, and as this is a plan we believe to be a most excellent 
one, we shall deal fully with it ; but even then there will be 
some buildings required near home, perhaps for breeding 
pens, or, at any rate, for the chickens, and the ground thus 
required should be fixed upon. Much after trouble, expense, 
and annoyance will thus be saved, and the little forethought 
required will be repaid many times over. 

It is not our intention to recommend that the runs for the 
fowls should be laid out before the houses are built, for this 
would be a most foolish plan, as the fencing, if any is 
needed, and the carefully laid out ground would be damaged ; 
but before building it is certainly advisable to have a clear 
idea of where the houses are to be placed, and whether the 
runs will be the most suitable ones. Nothing is easier than 
to have a house built, to fence in a piece of ground, and to 
put a dozen hens in it ; but whether it is in the best position 
will have much to do with the result, so far as the produce 
and health of the birds are concerned. So apparently slight 
a matter as the house facing south or east will make a very 
great difference in the supply of eggs; and hence the neces- 
sity for care in the selection of the ground and position of 
the house and run. Whenever anything else can be done, 
and there are very few instances where this cannot be 
arranged, the front of a house should never face north, north- 
east or north-west \ or, at any rate, the doors and windows 
should not look in any of these directions. We all know 
how penetrating the winds are from these quarters, and 
whilst they are blowing the house will be cold indeed, thus 
acting unfavourably upon the laying and fattening qualities. 
A house with a southern frontage gets all the sun there is 
about — a most important matter in the late autumn, winter, 
and early spring, when every ray that can be secured is oj 
decided advantage. It almost surpasses belief the difference 
in temperature between a house fronting north and one front- 



28 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

ing south, for, whilst the latter will be comfortable, even 
on those days when but little of the sun has been seen, 
the former will be cold and comfortless. Practical ex- 
perience has led us to make a strong point of this, as we 
know the value of having the house in a sheltered position, 
and this is one of the little things that needs to be thought 
of before a house is erected, as it cannot be easily remedied 
afterwards. Of course there are some places where it is 
impossible to obtain a southern or southerly aspect, and then 
the best must be made of existing circumstances. Even in 
such a case as this, by a little planning much can be done, 
and we some time ago visited a poultry yard, the grass run 
of which was in a cold and bleak place, with an aspect almost 
due north. Here a substantial stone wall ran down one side 
of the field, and the houses were built on the south side of 
this wall, the covered runs being" on the other side, and the 
two connected by trap-holes in the wall. The effect of such 
a plan as this is very great, the temperature in the houses 
being several degrees higher than if they were on the north 
side, and thus much of the disadvantage of a north or east 
aspect can be overcome. If no other plan can be adopted, 
we would make the doors and windows at the one least 
exposed side or end of the house, having no opening on 
the other sides, but even when this is done the walls will 
need to be thicker than they would if in a more favourable 
position. 

Whenever it is possible we should advise that a brick or 
stone wall should be made the back of the house, as this is 
a great protection and support to the erection, and also gives 
additional warmth, as well as being a saving in cost. If this 
wall be part of, or next to a stable, a cow-shed, a greenhouse, 
an engine- shed, or even a dwelling, the warmth derived will 
be highly beneficial. We have repeatedly known instances 
where large numbers of eggs have been got in the severest 



Planning Poultry Runs, 29 

weather, simply because the fowls' roosting-place adjoined a 
stable or cow-house. When it is remembered that the reason 
why fowls do not lay so well in cold weather is that much of 
the natural heat usually expended upon egg-production and 
flesh-forming is required to make up for the more rapid 
exhaustion of that heat, it will be seen that the value of such 
an arrangement as we have suggested is very great. 

Supposing, therefore, that the place has been chosen in 
accordance with what we have already stated, then the 
amount of ground and the number of divisions into which 
it has to be partitioned out must be decided upon. If a 
number of breeds are to be kept, and there is not sufficient 
ground at command to scatter them widely apart, then the 
decision as to the number of runs to be given should be 
very carefully made, and it will be much better to limit 
the number than to cramp the birds. Birds which are 
only required for supplying eggs can no doubt be kept in 
confined runs, but breeding stock should have good large 
runs, or their eggs will not hatch so well, nor the progeny 
be so vigorous and strong. In many places a large grass 
field is allotted to the fowls, and on one side of this a row 
of houses and sheds are built, each having a gravel run — 
say twenty yards long by three or four yards wide — and 
the various flocks of birds are allowed in the grass field by 
turn throughout the day. This is a capital plan where it 
can be adopted, and we recommend it to our readers ; but 
if runs can be given to each breeding pen twenty yards 
square, two-thirds grass and one-third gravel, they will do 
equally as well. The first-named plan is advantageous in 
one way — namely, that the houses can be all placed together, 
and if a passage runs behind, the birds can be seen at 
night, or the houses cleaned without going into the open 
air. And as they can also be used for chickens as well as 
for the breeding stock, this will be found a very great 



30 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

advantage, as the early chicks require to be attended to late 
at nights, and very early in the mornings. The chief danger 
of this plan is the tainting of the ground resulting from 
the droppings of the fowls, which is in itself a sure cause 
of disease, but we shall show how this can be prevented. 

In large yards it is advisable to have a proper chicken 
establishment, the house of which should always face due 
south, or nearly so, and as far as is possible be well pro. 
tected on the north and east either by a wall or thick trees. 
We shall describe how this house is to be built in the 
proper place, but now mention it so that it may not be 
forgotten, as is too often the case. The run, which should 
be chiefly grass, requires to be large and roomy, and if it 
can be placed near the attendant's house, no matter who 
the attendant may be, it will be all the better. Upon 
this run the chicken coops will be placed in the breeding 
season, and the more room that can be given to it the 
better. The actual size can only be regulated by each in 
accordance with the special requirements of the case, but 
we should be inclined to set aside a quarter of an acre for every 
hundred chicks to be reared in this chicken run, in addition 
to which other runs will be needed to put the birds in after 
they leave the hens. Some of the ordinary runs will come 
in useful for this purpose after the breeding season is over. 



Construction of Buildings. 31 



CHAPTER IV, 



POULTRY HOUSES. 



Importance of nooses — Cost— Elaborate Houses not Needed — Good Houses 
Required— Size of Houses and Runs — Adapting existing Buildings — Cheap 
Houses— Sheds — Houses in Gardens. 

Having planned the yard in the manner described by us 
in the last chapter, and arranged it in the way that appears 
to be most conducive to the well-being of the fowls, the 
next consideration must be that of the houses in which 
they are to be placed. This is a most important subject, 
and takes place in the front rank of those matters which 
will have an all-important effect upon the success or other- 
wise of the enterprise. Too often is it neglected ; and we 
have known men, who thought nothing too good for their 
horses, their cattle, or their dogs, put their poultry into 
cold, damp, draughty buildings, and then grumble that they 
did not pay. Who could expect them to pay under such 
conditions? may be reasonably asked. But this is only 
a specimen of how the subject has been treated ; and 
if any of our readers are resting under such a delusion, 
we must ask them to give it up at once, or, as the only 
alternative, give up the idea of keeping fowls. Without 
due regard to comfort, ventilation, and cleanliness, fowls 
will not pay ; but where these things are attended to, and 
other things are favourable, they will pay. 

Much will depend on the tastes, and length of purse 



32 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

of the intending poultry keeper, as to the cost of the 
houses and runs. We have visited at various times some 
really palatial establishments, where hundreds of pounds 
have been spent in erections, and where everything is of the 
very best nature — planned and placed so as above all to 
please the eye. And we have, on the other hand, seen 
yards successfully carried on where the crudest and roughest 
houses and appliances are in use, the object being to 
secure the desired end with the least possible expenditure. 
The fact is, elaborateness has nothing to do with success 
or failure. So long as certain definable laws are observed 
all will go right ; and whilst first-class houses may add to 
the pleasure of the owner, or to ease in working, they are 
by no means necessary to — nay, we should say almost a 
hindrance to — profit, as the large amount needed as capital 
outlay requires a greater charge for interest than should 
be laid upon the concern. This is, of course, addressed 
to those who regard the matter as one of profit. Those 
who do not, can freely gratify their tastes, and can easily 
make more ornamental any such houses as we shall describe, 
and in all probability the additional cost will be amply 
repaid in the extra pleasure thus obtained. But there is 
as much care needed in the erection of grand houses as in 
smaller ones; and we have known hundreds of dollars spent 
in erections that were almost useless. In fact, there is in 
such places always a danger that utility shall be sacrificed 
to appearance, and against this we must utter a note of 
warning. 

It must not be thought from what we have said that we 
object to substantial and well-built houses, for this is not 
the case, and we believe that often the putting of a few 
extra dollars into a building is a good investment, saving 
the expenditure of many more afterwards. Nor must it be 
imagined that we think any plan is a suitable one, for 



Division of Houses. 33 

while we encourage cheapness — that is, avoiding all needless 
expenditure — we strongly insist that every house, whether 
it he new or old, adapted or huilt for the purpose, made of 
wood or stone, shall be warm and comfortable, properly 
ventilated, and shall be large enough for the number of 
birds that are to be kept in it. Great injury is done for 
w T ant of proper housing, both through disease resulting 
from it, and in that it is a great hindrance to productiveness. 
Fowls kept in a cold, damp atmosphere will neither lay 
nor thrive well. In the summer it may not make so much 
difference to them, as day and night is then almost equally 
warm; but in the late autumn, winter, and early spring, 
just when they will make or mar the balance sheet for the 
year, they are consumers without being producers; conse- 
quently they are most unprofitable. 

The question of size of house deserves more considera- 
tion than it generally receives. It has been found by very 
many persons, from practical experience, that not more 
than fifty birds can be profitably kept together in one house ; 
and though this does not necessarily mean that if it is 
thought advisable to erect a house divided into several 
compartments, not more than fifty birds may be kept under 
one roof, it does mean that they should be kept well apart 
with runs of their own, and for this reason we prefer the 
plan of having a distinct house for every fifty fowls, where 
the room is at command. A few breeding runs may be put 
together ; but for layers the other is the better plan. Why 
large numbers together are not so prolific as when there 
are fifty and under, we cannot say, and any expression of 
opinion would be merely theoretical ; but such is undoubtedly 
the fact, and we must urge our readers not to keep mora 
than the number stated in one house. These should 
have half an acre of grass run, in order to keep them in 
health and condition, that is, if they are to be restricted 

D 



34 Profitable Poiiltry Keeping. 

at all ; and those of our readers who have only a limited 
amount of space at their disposal will be able to decide how 
many birds they can keep upon it. 

The first thing for the intending poultry keeper to do 
is to see whether there are any existing buildings which 
can be adapted for his birds. This is, of course, more 
easily done by those who wish to keep a few than by those 
who go into the matter extensively ; and cottagers or suburban 
residents will often be able to find an unused shed, an out- 
house, or a stable which, with very few alterations, can be 
made to meet all their requirements. In most of these the 
floor is the greatest drawback ; but this can be remedied very 
easily, as we shall show in our next chapter. Failing such 
places as we have mentioned, other things can be " requisi- 
tioned" for the purpose, and where the cost is a most important 
matter, a little ingenuity will do a great deal. A hogshead 
can be made into a very good roosting-place for half a dozen 
birds, if it is raised on its side above the ground by bricks 
or stone, all chinks stopped up, well tarred outside and 
whitewashed inside, the upper half of the lid fixed, w T ith a 
few holes bored- in, and corresponding ones in the other end 
for ventilation, and the lower half made a hinged door, and 
a couple of perches and nests placed inside. A large packing 
case can be used in a similar fashion, if it has a sloping 
roof placed above the top of the box, so that the wet can 
run off easily, and in fact almost anything can be utilised, 
as we have seen old rail-car bodies, discarded carriages, and 
summer-houses made to do duty. A short time ago we read 
of a la/ge farmer in Essex who keeps several hundred head 
of fowls, and has bought up a number of old menagerio 
vans at a cheap rate, which have been made the houses for 
his fowls, and very comfortable ones we are told they are. 

The objection to be brought against this kind of roosting 
places, is that they do not provide sheds in which the birds 



Sheds for Shelter in Bad Weather. 35 

have shelter during cold or wet weather. No matter how 
large and comfortable a house may be, poultry have a very 
strong objection to spend any portion of their time in it 
except when at roost or on the nest, and the result is that 
they often crouch about under bushes or even the lea of 
the house, sooner than go inside. This may be very stupid 
on their part, but there the fact is, and we must recognize 
it. Sheds should, therefore, be provided, and will be also 
useful for the dust bath — a most needful provision. In 
the case of any adapted out-house or shed, if large enough, 
the outer portion can be made into the shed, or if not large 
enough, a wooden erection about three feet high, and quite 
as large as the house itself, with open or a wired front, 
can be easily and cheaply erected. Where a hogshead or 
packing case is used, it should be lifted sufficiently high 
so as to leave a good space below. If the supporting 
bricks are built in the form of a U-shaped wall, they will 
be protection enough ; but if not, folding flaps of wood 
should be placed on three sides so as to keep wind and 
rain from the birds below. 

The small amateur who has accommodation for only a 
very few birds, and must confine them, would do well to 
so place his house that there will be a run on each side 
of it. In a suburban or cottage garden this will not be 
at all difficult, and the house and shed can be arranged 
according to circumstances. The object of the double run^ 
is to give the birds fresh ground, and thus prevent any 
tainting of it, so great a cause of disease in small yards. 
Only one run at a time will be used, and the other can be 
planted with vegetables, which will be found to grow amain 
on such a place, and be better and larger than any other in 
the garden, and at the same time clean the ground. If each 
run is thus used four months at a time, there need be no fear 
of disease. We know of an instance where this has been 

d 2 



36 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

tried most successfully, and on a fairly large scale, with very 
heavy crops, and the birds kept in perfect health, though 
the runs are smaller than we like to see. We do not see why 
farmers should not make poultry one of the series in the 
rotation of crops, as by this means the land would get well 
manured by the fowls, and before being used again for them 
would be sweetened by the produce grown thereon. This is 
a subject we shall return to again, as it is worthy of fuller 
consideration. If the small poultry keeper is unable to 
give these double runs, it will be better to lay down the 
one run he has in gravel, as it can be more easily renewed, and 
is less liable to contamination than earth. But as our subject 
is the houses, we must insist that if he uses an outhouse or 
any of the things we have already named, he will see that 
it is watertight above, dry below, properly ventilated, and 
comfortable. If he has to build a house he can follow the 
directions we give in the next chapter. 



Materials of House. 37 



CHAPTER V. 

THE ERECTION OF POULTRY HOUSES. 

Material to be Usel— Tenant's Fixtures — Too Large Houses Objectionable — 
Foundation— Saving of Timber — Frame- Woik — Windows and Doors — 
Ventilation — Floors — Artificial Heating. 

Before the question of building can be entirely settled 
there is a matter requiring to be entered upon, which will 
probably have very much to do with the material of which 
the house will be built. There can be no question that for 
comfort and durability, a brick or stone house is best both 
for birds and owner, as it is much warmer, less liable to 
draughts, and more lasting than a wooden one. If the 
land be the property of the intending poultry keeper, or if 
the lease is sufficiently long to warrant a permanent erection, 
then we should certainly advise such being built ; but if 
there is any uncertainty as to the length of time during 
which the ground can be retained, then it will be better to 
put up a wooden one, which is removable, whereas a brick 
or stone erection becomes the landlord's property if the 
tenant leaves. Of course the rule we have laid down can 
be varied according to circumstances, as there are districts 
where timber is comparatively scarce and dear, and where 
bricks or stone are comparatively cheap, and vice versa. 
But as a rule wood is the cheapest material, and as it is 



38 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

easy to work with, and may be made capable of removal 
without much damage, if removal is necessary, there is no 
objection whatever to it, if sufficiently thick timber is 
used throughout, and the whole well and strongly put 
together. 

The question of size is one that must of necessity be ruled 
by the inclinations of the owner. We do not mean the 
number of fowls he intends to keep, so much as whether 
he prefers to have only one house, or several scattered 
about. We must confess to having a preference for the 
latter plan, where there is sufficient room to allow of it, 
but at the same time there are doubtless advantages in 
having the birds all in one house, not the least of which 
is that they can be easily seen and are less liable to be 
stolen. Then it is also cheaper to build one house for 
two hundred birds than four houses to hold fifty each, 
and even where the question of cost is not regarded so 
closely, a much more pleasing structure can be erected than 
if divided into a number of small ones. Perhaps the best 
plan is that indicated by us in the previous chapter, namely, 
to combine both these systems, and to have the breeding, 
and chicken houses near at home, and the others more 
widely scattered about. However, these are arrangements 
which can be safely left to be decided individually, and 
our instructions as to building poultry houses will apply 
to small and to large houses equally. A house twelve feet 
long by six feet wide, and seven or eight feet from the floor 
to the eaves, will be large enough to accommodate fifty 
fowls, and we should not recommend that it be made larger 
than this. Too small a house is dangerous, as the vitiation 
of the atmosphere which naturally results breeds disease, 
but on the other hand too large a house is equally an evil, 
as the birds are exposed to a very large amount of cold 
air during the winter, which absorbs the heat from their 



Dimensions of House. 39 

bodies, and they are chilled and miserable during the long 
nights. If the house be of a reasonable size, the natural 
heat of their bodies is not absorbed, but remains to support 
them against the severity of the weather. These are 
matters which may not be so easily regulated when a build- 
ing is adapted, but when a house is built, then there is no 
more trouble in making it right than wrong. 

In all erections the first thing is to get a good foundation, 
and even when built of wood it will be better to put down 
bricks first, these to stand six inches above the ground. If 
well tarred after they are laid they will prevent the damp 
rising, and also protect the wood. As much of the latter as 
rests on, or is sunk into the ground should be well tarred also. 
The timber used for the walls should be tongued, or feathered 
and grooved. The superiority of this over straight edged 
deals is very great, keeping out both wind and wet more 
effectually, and the cost is small. Upon no account should 
the boards be less than an inch in thickness, no matter how 
small the house may be, and where it is large it will be found 
much better to have them an inch and a quarter. Many 
persons commit the mistake of having the deals too thin, 
the result of w T hich is, the houses are cold and easily pene- 
trated by damp. A capital plan is to make the house in 
length and width twelve feet, or a divisible fraction of it, 
that is, four, six, or eight feet, or if larger, eighteen or twenty- 
four feet. The object of this is, that as timber is generally 
sold in lengths of about twelve feet, if any of the sizes 
named are selected there will be no waste whatever, every 
inch being used up. Of course the house can be twelve feet 
long by six feet wide, or twenty- four feet long by twelve feet 
wide, or any other size that will be convenient. The shed 
which we have already mentioned can either be a portion of 
the building, the same in height and width, or it can be a 
less lofty erection placed in front or at one end of the house 



40 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

proper. Where a number of houses are placed together, it 
is better to have the sheds in front and part of the main 
building. Such sheds should be quite as large as the roost- 
ing house, and be separated from the same by a partition 
made of the same thickness of wood as the outer walls. The 
front of the shed should be of wood two or three feet up, 
and of wire netting above that. 

Having laid the foundations, the next step will be to 
prepare the framework, which should be of scantling, three 
or four inches square, according to the size of the house and 
the strain which will be put upon the frame. An extra up- 
right should be placed every three or four feet ; but one 
horizontal crosspiece, in a wall six to eight feet high, will be 
quite sufficient. The framework of a door not less than 
thirty inches wide, and of one or more windows, must be fitted 
in, and these should face the south or east. The windows 
are better when made to open, and simply hinged to swing 
outwards. The boards when nailed on should be laid 
horizontally, tightly clenched down, and nailed firmly to the 
frame, so as to prevent any warping. French nails are 
the best, as they do not destroy the wood, should it be 
necessary to afterwards take the house to pieces. A small 
trap, fifteen inches high by twelve inches wide, will be required 
for the fowls ; and this should have a sliding door, so that 
they may be kept in if necessary. The matter requiring 
greatest care in the erection of a wooden house is, to see that 
it is perfectly air-tight, except as afterwards provided, and 
all fissures or chinks stopped up. This is especially necessary 
with the door and window fittings, as draughts very often find 
their way in just at these places. 

The roof may be of shingles, slates, corrugated iron, or 
wood, the two first named being the most suitable for per- 
manent buildingp. A tin roof really has many advantages, 
as it is reasonable hi price, easily fixed, and perfectly water- 



Provision for Ventilation, 



4* 



tight. But against these have to be placed the fact, that 
from its being so thin, and also being a rapid conductor of 
heat and cold, it is very hot in summer and very cold in 
vinter, and unless lined out with boarding the house is 
subject to these unfavourable conditions. If it is boarded, 
however, this is counteracted, and then it makes a capital 
roof — one that will last many years if given a coat of paint 
every twelve months. When wood is used as a roof, it should 
be firm and well put together, and be covered with felting, 




Fig. 1. — Veutilating roof. 



which needs to be well tarred and sanded once a year, thus 
making a warm and substantial cover. It is important to 
have a good slope in a roof of this kind, so that the water 
may run off rapidly ; and when this is done, a wooden roof 
is as good as anything else. 

The question of ventilation is a most important one, and 
worthy of more consideration than is usually given to it. 
The way often adopted is to make a few holes in one end 
of the house, and let the air get in and out the best 



42 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

way it can. We have actually known houses built with the 
boards left an eighth of an inch apart, in order to provide a 
current of air ; but such a method partakes considerably of 
madness. The plan we are about to describe is a very simple 
one, and will cost very little, if anything ; it is equally 
suitable to a single slope or to a gabled roof, but we shall 
describe the latter, and our readers can adapt it to the former. 
In the roof a small chamber should be formed, by nailing 
half-inch boards across the same, about midway between the 
eaves and the apex, and we give an illustration (Fig. 1) of 
the roof showing this method of ventilation. The crossboards 
forming the bottom of the chamber may either be closely 
nailed together, and have holes bored in them, or be left a 
quarter of an inch apart. At each end of this chamber, in 
the gables, louver boards should be inserted, or a ventilating 
trap, such as can be bought from any ironmonger, or a few 
holes bored into each end will do, but not so well. In 
addition to this, a couple of traps may be fitted about half- 
way up the walls of the house, but these are optional, and 
can be done without. If they are used, then a square 
wooden box, much larger than the trap, will need to be put 
over each one inside the house, having a very few holes in, it 
on the upper side only, so that when the fresh air comes in, it 
will be directed up to the roof, and not strike against the 
birds. The system of ventilation we have described is a 
perfect one ; there is a constant current of air through the 
ventilating chamber, carrying off the vitiated air, and this 
prevents any draught whatever in the house itself; but, at 
the same lime, the birds always have pure air to breathe; 
and go into their roosting-house at any time, day or night, 
it is fresh and sweet so far as the atmosphere is concerned. 
In winter some of the ventilating holes can be stopped up, 
as they will not be required, and the facility with which the 
current can be regulated is the advantage the trap ventilators 



Importance of Proper Floor, 43 

have over the holes or louver boards. No holes must be 
made near the ground, or anything done to create a draught 
upwards, as when this is done there is great danger of the 
fowls having to roost midway between two openings — a plan 
which soouer or later results in colds and other diseases. 
This done, the house itself is complete, with the exception 
of painting outside and whitewashing inside ; two or three 
coats of the former and two of the latter will put it in 
capital order. 

The next part we have to deal with is the floor, which if it 
be damp or cold will militate very greatly against the com- 
fort and consequent success of the inmates. Such a subject 
as this needs to be specially dealt with, as there are many 
persons who appear to think that if the house itself is dry 
and well built the floor is of no consequence. Such an idea 
probably arises from the fact that the birds are almost always 
either on their perches or outside the house. But whilst 
this is undoubtedly the case, it must also be remembered 
that the nests are generally made on the ground, and what 
is of still greater moment, the atmosphere of the house is 
considerably affected by the floor, for if it is damp there is a 
cold, chilly feeling always present. In our own dwellings 
this is so, and all the efforts made to warm a damp house 
never succeed in making it comfortable; besides which there 
is the great injury to our health, and if this is the case 
where warmth and light can be freely given, how much more 
must it be felt in poultry houses. 

The first thing to be decided upon is that the floor of 
the house shall be not less than six inches above the ground 
outside. The object is to prevent the water running into the 
house, w r hich it will do if below or upon the level. Cement 
makes a capital floor, and if well laid there is no danger of 
water standing, or of a damp atmosphere resulting from it. 
It is cleaned very easily, and will not become charged with 



44 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

moisture from the droppings ; but it is very cold, and on 
this account, if used, should always be kept covered with two 
or three inches of fine soil or ashes. Bricks are often used, 
and if well drained below make a firm and dry floor. But 
they have one very decided drawback, consequent upon their 
porous nature and the interstices which must exist between 
them, namely, that they absorb the moisture from the drop- 
pings, and in time become impregnated with ammonia, 
which reacts upon the atmosphere in the house, and is very 
unhealthy for the birds in it. Were it not for this, bricks 
would make one of the best floors that could be desired. 
Wooden floors also are not to be recommended, except 
where the space is limited, when it is necessary to raise the 
floor of the house, in order to provide a sheltered run for 
the fowls below, or wooden floors may be used where movable 
houses are adopted. In either of these cases only such a 
floor is possible ; but of course it must be kept thickly 
covered with coal ashes, or fine soil, to be renewed con- 
stantly, and thus kept fresh. 

Of all the floors which may be laid down in a poultry 
house, we have proved the following to be decidedly the 
best : — In the first instance, dig the ground out to a depth 
of twelve or fifteen inches, and then fill up half of this with 
broken bricks, gravel, burnt ballast, coarse stones or slag, 
which must be well beaten down. A compost of coal 
ashes, fine gravel, quicklime and water must next be made, 
well mixed together, and spread over the other so as to raise 
he floor to the required height above the ground. This, 
when hardened, will be a perfectly dry floor, one upon which 
water will not stand, and yet it will be hard and firm in its 
nature, as well as warm and comfortable. It is easily 
cleaned, inexpensive, and in every way the best floor we 
know of. Of course, ashes or soil must always be spread 
thinly over it, as they should be upon every kind of floor, and 



Heating Poultry Houses. 45 

renewed every day or two. In some places the floor simply 
consists of a few inches of fine, dry earth ; and where the 
ground below is porous and warm there is no objection to 
this, but it must be raked over every day, and entirely re- 
newed every few months, or the air will be vitiated. Any one 
with a sensitive nasal organ can, however, very soon tell 
when there is anything the matter in this way, so that will 
be of itself a protection ; but we do not approve of the plan 
some people adopt, of using carbolic powder and other disin- 
fectants so freely, that their smell may overpower any other 
one. This is not the way to do. By cleanliness a house 
should be kept sweet, and whilst the articles named are 
most valuable to the poultry keeper, yet they must not be 
made substitutes for, but assistants to, cleanliness. 

Perhaps it may be as well, before we deal with the ques- 
tion of fittings, to say a few words with respect to the much 
debated question of heating poultry houses. The arguments 
adduced in favour of artificial heating are very plausible 
indeed, and there need be no wonder that many are misled by 
them. The reason why hens do not lay so well in winter, is 
because the natural heat or reserve force of the body is more 
rapidly exhausted in winter than in summer, and there is 
less surplus to go to the formation of eggs or flesh. Thus 
it would appear very reasonable to suppose, that if, by sup- 
plying artificial heat, this rapid exhaustion can be prevented, 
then the birds would be as productive a"t one time as another. 
The fallacy of this is in the fact that birds cannot always be 
kept healthy indoors, and if there be high temperature, then 
when they go out, the sudden transition is very great, and 
disease results. So that for this reason, it will be seen that 
artificial heating is likely to do more harm than good, except 
under such conditions as we shall presently mention. Fowls 
cannot put on an overcoat when they leave their houses, and 
we know the danger ourselves of going from a heated room 



46 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

into the cold air unprotected in this way. But in addition 
to this there is a very grave ohjection to the burning of oil or 
gas in a house, as they vitiate the atmosphere greatly, and 
the birds having to breath air charged with impurities, must 
be injured thereby. This injury may not declare itself at 
once, but will do so sooner or later. 

In addition to the methods of heating already mentioned, 
which are more used for isolated houses than those in blocks, 
hot water pipes have been employed, but though these are 
much better than stoves of any kind, it is only a question of 
degree, and the use of them is to be equally condemned. 
We do not say that a gentle artificial heat is not beneficial, 
if it come from outside the house, and, for this reason, we 
recommended in a previous chapter that, where possible, the 
house should be built adjoining " a stable, a cow-shed, a 
green-house, an engine-shed, or even a dwelling," but this 
is altogether different to placing a stove inside a house, as 
the heat is then evenly diffused all over the house, without in 
the slightest degree vitiating the atmosphere. Even in -such 
a place as this, care must be taken to keep the temperature 
from rising very high, and the ventilation requires to be well 
looked after. 

It is often found convenient, where large numbers of fowls 
are kept, to have the buildings in large blocks, and when this 
is so artificial heat may be introduced without much danger, 
especially if there is a centre compartment into which all 
the others open. Here a fire-stove can be placed, and if 
the ventilation is so arranged that the fresh air can be 
supplied through this compartment, then the fowls will get 
warmth without danger of any great excess of it. But we 
may as well say at once, that, in a well built and properly 
ventilated house, there is no need of any artificial heat what 
ever, and even though the eggs are not quite so numerous 
as might be the case were it employed, the prevention of 



Straw Lining Useful. 47 

future trouble, and the hardiness of the birds, will more than 
compensate for this deficiency. In very severe weather the 
houses may be lined out with straw, but this is only needed 
where the walls are thin, and it will be found that good sub- 
stantial food and free range, will do more real good than any 
artificial heat, however carefully applied. 



48 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE FITTINGS AND RUNSu 

Perches — Nest Boxes — Sheds— Ucfenced Runs— Space to be given — Fencing. 

The perches should be regulated according to the kind of 
birds kept. For heavy ones, such as Brahmas, Cochins, 
Dorkings, Langshans, Scotch Greys, and Plymouth Rocks, 
a foot above the ground is quite high enough, as birds are 
often injured in flying down from high perches, or, what 
is equally as bad, roost upon the ground and are cold and 
starved all the night through. Some time ago we saw a 
capital perch for Brahmas, made of strong wood, about four 
inches wide, and in the form of a huge T, the three ends 
resting upon cement blocks built into the walls, and of course 
lying lengthwise parallel with the floor. We also give from 
Mr. Tegetmeier's Poultry Book an illustration (Fig. 2) of 
a capital frame for heavy fowls to roost upon, which has the 
decided advantage of being easily moved. Perches should 
always be made so that they can be got out of, and into the 
house without difficulty. As a rule, for lighter birds, where the 
perches are placed higher, fir poles sawn in tw r o make the best 
ones, but when these cannot be got, oval shaped bars, about 
three inches in diameter and sawn in two, are most suitable. 
Or if flat ones are used they should not be narrow, but 
have the edges taken off. In small houses it is best to get 
thick bent iron or wooden supports, made in the form of the 



Hen-Ladders* 



49 



letters U or J ; the former are the best, as the perches 
are not so easily knocked out by the birds. One of these 
rests must be fixed at each side of the house, and the perch 
ends made to fit them, taking care that the poles are not too 
short, or they will drop out when the birds get on to them. 

In large houses it is much better to make a hen ladder, 
which consists of two stout planks laid at each end of the 
house, at an angle of about forty degrees, the top resting 




Fi?. 2. — Fiamc for Itoost. 



against the back wall and the bottom on the ground, or, 
of course, by making a back upright to hold the planks 
spoken of, it will not be necessary to rest the same against 
the walls. Or, again, the latter may be made double, like 
the letter f{, with perches at both sides, though, for a 
reason about to be given, this is not to be recommended 
except where there are windows on both sides. At a 
distance of about every two feet, notches are made on the 
upper side of these deals, of course, corresponding with each 
other, and into these the perch ends are dropped, and then 
the ladder is complete. This ladder should face the window, 
wherever this is placed, as fowls always roost with their heads 
in that direction, and then the droppings fall on the floor 
without touching the birds on the lower perches. If the 
birds are allowed to roost the other way, each row will receive 
the droppings from those on the one above. Fine soil or 
ashes should be laid on the floor below the ladder, and raked 
over daily, as by this means a most valuable manure is made, 



50 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

and can be removed weekly. Whether the house is a large 
or a small one the perches should be made removable, so as 
to facilitate cleaning, and once every month the ends can 
be clipped in petroleum or carbolic acid, by the doing of 
which insects are kept away easily. Many people would be 
surprised at the myriads of insects which swarm over birds 
when they are roosting that are not so protected, but dipping 
the ends effectually prevents their reaching the fowls. 

Nest boxes will, of course, require to be fitted into the 
house, and in numbers sufficient to prevent any crowding of 
the hens, or they will fight for possession, and perhaps be 
thus led to lay away. These nest boxes can be made in a 
variety of ways, and if the house is a small one a couple of 
bricks, a box, or a basket can be used. Perhaps the first 
named is the best, as it is most easily cleared away, and can 
scarcely be neglected when the house is cleaned out, for 
the nest must be renewed constantly to keep it supplied with 
straw. In such a house as this, where room is not over 
plentiful, the nests may be arranged with a shelf above them, 
and if the perch is above that, then the hens will be quiet 
and retired, and no droppings can reach them. But, of 
course, such an arrangement necessitates great attention to 
cleanliness, and for this reason it is most important to have 
shelves removable, and to see that they are taken out at 
least every week. We have found in practice that if this is 
not done the nests below get neglected, and the backs of the 
shelves become harbours for insects, and dirt of all kinds. 

It may be taken as a standing rule, that one nest will b8 
required for every three hens ; and in large houses, where 
forty or fifty birds are kept, a different plan to any yet spoken 
of will have to be adopted. W r e do not like nests in sets as 
usually made, because there are no facilities provided for 
easy cleaning, rather the reverse ; but the following plan is 
one that can be adopted with safety : — In a house for fifty 



Nest-Boxes. 5 1 

hens we should make three rows, of five or six nests in each, 
every nest to be twelve to fifteen inches square, according to 
the size of fowls by which they will be used. The nests 
should have no bottoms, backs, or fronts, save only a strip of 
wood, three inches wide, nailed along the lower part of the 
fronts, and another exactly like it at the back. The top of 
each row will have to be entirely covered, and each of the 
two bottom rows have a ledge of about six or eight inches 
wide standing in front. This will complete the nests, and 
they will, therefore, consist simply of the partitions between 
each nest, the ends, the tops, and the strips, back and front. 
When put together the bottom row will stand on the ground 
next to one of the walls, the second row above it, and the 
third row above that. In order to prevent the fowls pulling 
the nests over when jumping on to the ledges, strong iron 
catches should be fixed to the end of each row with staples 
in the wall, so as to keep them firm and secure. As will 
have been seen, the top row will have no ledge, as one is not 
needed there, but it will be necessary to have a sloping top, 
or the birds will roost upon it, and thus constantly make it 
foul and dirty. These nests can be taken to pieces in a 
couple of minutes and re-erected as speedily, the great 
advantage being that, having no floor, the moment they are 
removed everything inside falls out, and there are no corners 
where dirt or vermin can congregate. They should have a 
good lime-washing inside and outside once a month, and this 
will keep them perfectly sweet and clean. 

Heavy fowls, such as Cochins, Brahmas, and Dorkings, 
will require some other arrangement, as the flying up and 
down to the nests would injure them just as much as when 
high perches are employed for them. This can be overcome 
by placing all the nests on the ground, and having a sloping 
board above the same the whole way round the house, or, 
what is still better, make the top of the nests sloping 

e 2 



52 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

from back to front, which will effectually prevent the birds 
roosting on it. In this case, we should make Jthe nests in 
sets of two or three each, as they will then be much 
easier to handle when cleaning. We have also seen hanging 
boxes made, not unlike a very large sink soap tray, but with 
wire bottoms ; and, where there is enough room in the house 
to allow of these being hung on the walls, about eighteen to 
twenty-four inches apart from each other, no better system 
can be adopted. They must be a foot or more above the 
ground, and the nest itself should be about six inches in depth, 
so that there may be no danger of the hen knocking out the 
eggs when getting out herself. 

In the chapter on " Poultry Houses" we mentioned the 
necessity for having a shed in addition to the roosting house. 
This should, if possible, be as large, if not larger than the 
house, but can be open or wired at the front. It must be 
perfectly dry, with good floor, which may be the same as the 
house floor, or be a foot in depth of fine sand. In one 
comer a hole should be dug, or a box placed, about two feet 
deep, and kept constantly supplied with fine dry ashes or 
soil. This dust bath is absolutely necessary to the well 
being of the birds, and must be given in order to keep down 
insects. Where large numbers of birds are kept we have 
seen a house or shed devoted to this purpose alone ; and any 
reasonable amount of trouble is worth taking, as fowls can- 
not possibly thrive if they are troubled with insects. 

The question as to how much space is required to keep 
birds in perfect health ia somewhat difficult to answer, be- 
cause there are some breeds which require more than others ; 
and there are breeds which can live on a grass plot without 
destroying it, whilst others would eat it bare in a month. Of 
course, it is much better when freedom can be given, and 
birds can then be divided without the use of netting or any- 
thing else, thus effecting a large saving in first cost. It is 



Space Desirable. 



53 



wonderful how close birds can be kept together without mix- 
ing one with the other. A short time ago the writer visited a 
farm where several hundred head of fowls are kept, compris- 
ing about a dozen pure varieties, and in one field of about 
ten acres two houses were placed, of course at the extreme 
limits from each other. In one were Dorkings, and in the 
other white Leghorns, and though they were in sight of each 
other, yet they had never been known to mix, nor even to 




Fig. 3. — EaDge of Poultry Houses and Runs. 

approach sufficiently near to quarrel. Probably each clan 
felt itself immeasurably superior to its neighbour, and that 
it would be derogatory to associate with the others ; but 
whatever might be the cause, the effect was satisfactory to the 
owner. And under such circumstances, namely, where there 
is an abundance of room, for the farm in question was nearly 
a thousand acres in extent, the question of run3 is easily 
settled, as even breeding flocks can be kept unpenned. 



54 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

Where runs are at all restricted, and must be kept within 
certain limits, then it is necessary to know how much ground is 
absolutely required to keep grass fresh. Under such conditions 
it will be needful to give half an acre to every fifty fowls of the 
lighter kinds, but rather more than this will be required for the 
heavier breeds. But where houses are built in sets, such as is 
shown in Fig. 3, which is a capital range of houses made by 
Bolton and Paul, Norwich, Eng., we prefer the plan given 
by us in a former chapter, namely, to give gravel runs to the 
houses, and have a large field into which the birds can go in 
turns during the day. They in this way thrive just as well as 
if on grass always, and the latter is preserved and kept in good 
order. Nothing appears worse to us than to see grass eaten 
and trodden down, as then it does no good to the fowls, and 
is much worse than gravel, which is clean at any rate, and 
does not lead the attendant to suppose that the birds have 
all the green food they require. Grass is only beneficial 
when fresh and clean, and hence the importance of what we 
have said. 

When fencing is necessary, the best material is wire- 
netting, which can be bought very cheaply, especially if in 
large quantities, and if it is galvanized it lasts a long time. 
That with a two inch mesh is fine enough, and it is as well 
to get it good and strong, as it will be found least costly in 
the end. Where something more show} 7 is required, there is 
a wire fencing made in sections of three feet wide, and six 
feet high, fitted to iron standards in the ground by means of 
small bolts. These are made in straight lattice work, and 
generally have ornamental tops, so that they are pleasing in 
appearance. Another admirable fence is one easily made 
to order by any woven-wire works, like Figure 4, the bottom 
half of which is made of galvanized iron, and the upper 
half of wire, thus forming a complete division between runs, 
and being at the same time a first-rate shelter against sun, 



Iron Fencing. 



55 



rain, or wind. The height of the fences will need to be 
regulated by the variety of fowls kept. Heavy birds will be 
easily restrained by a three or a four feet fence, whilst most 
other breeds can be kept in only by one six feet high. Ham- 
burghs, however, must have one at least ten feet, and often 
that is not sufficient, so that it is better to clip their wings. 
Gates must be .provided, and it will be found advantageous 
not to have too few, as thus many a long walk may be saved 
— no small consideration on a wet or stormy day ; and where 




a o .3 j =) o o w ■ 4 o <-> -• u 






ct": : o ''a j □ a a o o o o 



Fig. 4.— Poultry Fence. 



several runs join each other they must be boarded up three 
feet above the ground, if the fencing just mentioned be not 
used, in order to prevent the cocks fighting with each other, 
which they will certainly do if this precaution is not taken. 



56 Profitable P 021 1 try Keeping, 



CHAPTEE VII. 

MORE ABOUT HOUSES AND RUNS. 

Effect of Confinement — Houses on Wheels — The Best Plan for Farms— Use of 
Fruit Trees in Runs — Kinds of Trees to Plant — Fruit Bushes — Other Aids. 

We suppose that, as it is human nature, when restricted 
within certain specified limits, to get as near the outer region 
of those limits as possible, even though there is an abun- 
dance of room, and a more nominal than actual curtailment 
of liberty, the same instinct is shown in fowls, because, no 
matter how large a run may be given them, if it be fenced 
in, they will be sure to wear down the grass near the boun- 
daries, whilst that in the centre will probably be untouched. 
On this account, where space is abundant, it may be the 
best plap :o use movable houses, either small enough to 
be carried by a couple of men, or on wheels, so that a horse 
or pony can take them easily from one place to another. 
Various patterns can be seen in the lists of poultry house 
builders, and we give illustrations of two of these, showing 
the ones which appear to us the best (Figs. 5 and 6). As is 
seen, one of these houses, for which we are also indebted to 
Messrs. Boulton k Paul, who have made some of the best 
poultry houses we have seen, has a run beneath, and side 
flaps to afford protection, whilst the other, made by Thos. 
Christy & Co., of Fenchurch Street, London, is without the 
run ; but if the latter plan is adopted, a small shelter should 
be made so as to stand adjoining, and for convenience of 



Portable Houses. 



57 



removal, it can be separate. The houses and shelters can 
be with, or without floors, as may be preferred, but if the 
soil is clay, or damp, it will be much better to have wooden 
floors, though even when it is dry soil we much prefer not to 
have them. Of course, in any case it will be necessary to see 
that the houses are not placed in hollows, cr, when it is 
wet weather, they will be standing in pools of water. 

Movable houses of this kind have many great advan- 




Fi£r. 5. — Portable House. 



fcages, but, of course, their use is limited to such as have 
plenty of ground at command. In the first place, a much 
larger number of birds can be kept than in a stationary 
house, as the ground is fresh, and they can wander about 
at their own free will. The fowls also cost less to keep, as 
they are able to find a great portion of their own food in the 
shape of worms, grubs, seeds, roots, and berries. There is 
less expense for material, as fencing is not needed, and 



58 



Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



even though wire netting is very cheap, when it has to be 
purchased by the hundred or thousand yards, it adds a very 
considerable item to the capital account. Then, again, the 
fowls clean and manure the land, which is a specially valuable 
thing after ploughing or harvesting, and we know farms 
an here the birds are kept on the pasture land during the 
early part of the year ; but, as soon as the hay, corn or root 
crops are off, the houses are immediately moved thereon, 
and kept there as long as possible. On one farm we are 
acquainted with, the fowls are allowed to wander about 
among both corn and root crops, as soon as the plants are 




Fig. C.-Chri-t 's Portable TTouse. 



about twelve and six inches respectively above the ground ; and 
the owner informs us that the injury done is really nominal, 
whilst the benefit is very great. Fortunately, the time of year 
when the number of birds is greatest, is during the late summer 
and early autumn, when the land is most at liberty, and thus 
the poultry do not hamper or hinder the other work of a farm. 
Finally, there can be no question that birds kept in movable 
houses are hardier, thrive better, and lay better, than if in 
confined spaces ; but, of course, there are some disadvantages, 
such as risk of the birds laying away, additional labour in 
feeding and attendance, and, in some districts, clanger of 



Cost of Movable Houses. 59 

foxes. The two former can be overcome without difficulty, 
and the latter only needs greater care and watchfulness to 
be exercised, with the fastening up of the birds at night. 

With such a plan as we have suggested, we are certain 
that there are few farmers who could not find room for one 
of these houses to every five or ten acres of his occupation, 
and the cost would very soon be repaid. The benefit would 
be great, and touch the part where every one is susceptible, 
namely, the pocket. We are not speaking from mere 
theory, as we know several instances where the fowls are a 
profit, both indirectly through the benefit to the land, and 
directly in actual cash. Houses can be built to hold 
about twenty-five fowls for 112 each, or to hold about fifty 
fowls for $20 to $25 eacb, without wheels ; or with wheels, 
which must be broad and large to prevent their sinking in 
the ground, for a few dollars more ; or, sometimes, various 
tilings can be adapted at even a less cost than this. We 
have seen old carriages, railway cars, and many other things 
adapted to the purpose, and in one instance read of a 
number of old showman's vans being so used, and very 
successfully too. 

It will have been seen, from what we have already said, that 
we believe in poultry farming more as an adjunct to an 
ordinary farm, than as a separate business, with land devoted 
to it, and to nothing else. But in some cases, there may be 
ground at command, just sufficient to keep going a fair 
number of fowls, and then it is imperative to make the 
best possible use of it. If rent has to be paid, anything 
which can be done to help the paying of it, will be a great 
assistance to making the concern profitable, and at the 
same time do away with the temptation to overcrowd the 
ground — a certain cause of disease and consequent loss. 
This, we believe, can best be done by the planting of fruit 
trees, which may not be a new suggestion, but it is one which 



6o Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

has not been brought very prominently forward of late. 
That it is a good suggestion few will be prepared to deny, 
for birds in a state of nature find all the protection they 
need in trees, as there are no houses or sheds to shelter 
them. But, of course, they are not restricted, and can 
keep themselves warm by exercise, whereas those that have 
not this liberty must have some artificial protection ; and 
the plan of putting birds in open runs, where they are 
restrained by wire fencing, without any corner to which 
they can retire, so as to be out of the reach of wind and 
weather, is foolish in the extreme, and we cannot wonder the 
birds do not thrive at all well. 

It is best as a rule, when planting runs in this way, to 
use large fruit trees, such as apple, pear, plum, and, in 
suitable places, cobnuts. These are generally regarded as 
a source of profit in themselves, for land is given up to them 
alone ; but, when this is so, they are nearly always planted 
too closely to suit poultry, at least in wet weather, and thus 
ordinary orchards cannot be looked upon as more than 
occasional or extra runs. If there are these near to where 
the poultry are kept, they will be a great boon, as in such 
places there is an abundance of insect life, which is highly 
beneficial to the birds. They also provide shelter duiing 
very hot weather, and protection from storms, the chief draw- 
back being that a closely-planted orchard or wood is nearly 
always damp, and therefore not suitable during the winter 
and late autumn. 

We have recommended the planting of large trees, but as 
they take a few years to get into full fruit bearing condition, 
and cannot be easily removed, some may prefer to use bushes, 
such as gooseberry or raspberry. These afford a capital pro- 
tection, as they are low, and thick near the ground, which is 
not the case with large trees. They, however, have one dis- 
advantage, and that is, the birds pick off the fruit when they 



Fruit Trees and Bushes. 61 

are in the runs. A capital plan we recently saw on a farm, 
was to lay the runs out in wide strips, say, about one hundred 
feet long and fifty feet wide. Between these the various 
hushes were planted, of course being separated from the 
fowls by wire netting. Here, the plan adopted, was to let 
the fowls run on the ground for two or three years, then 
transplant the bushes into the runs occupied by them, and 
give the birds the strips where the bushes had been. This 
doubtless would involve considerable trouble, but not so 
much as might be imagined, and the bushes got the benefit 
of the well manured, and the fowls of the clean soils. Soma 
such plan as this, or the protecting of the bushes by tanned 
twine netting during the fruiting season, is necessary where 
small fruit trees are planted. Or, if there is plenty of shelter 
from other trees, runs which had been occupied by poultry 
for two or three years, could be planted with strawberry plants, 
fresh runs being given to the birds, and, we venture to say, 
that the quality and quantity of the fruit on the former, would 
lead to a still further extension of the system. The benefit, 
as we have already hinted, will be twofold. Not only will 
the profit from the fruifr, which can easily be made to almost 
if not more than pay the rent, but the land will be thus kept 
perfectly pure and sweet, and consequently there will be much 
less risk of disease among the stock. 

It is not necessary for us to go into any details as to the 
methods of planting, the number of trees per acre, and the 
kinds of trcc;s to be chosen. These can easily be obtained 
elsewhere ; but our readers having received the suggestion 
can adapt it in their own way. The plan can doubtless be 
considerably developed, and other things found to help forward 
the same end, if brains are set to work. For instance, in a 
yard where the pens are divided either by wood or wire, the 
appearance of these can be greatly improved by planting 
creepers about them, and for this purpose there is nothing 



62 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

better than the ordinary scarlet runner beans. Near large 
towns or fashionable watering places, rose bushes would be 
a source of profit, as both buds and flowers find a ready sale ; 
but each poultry-keeper must consider what will best meet 
the demands of the district, and what will suit his place, and 
ths soil at his command. 



The Chicken House. £3 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CHICKEN-HOUSES. 



Early Chickens — Position of Chicken House— The Attendant's House — Gravel 
and Grass Run — The House— Floor— Provision Against Rats — Size of 
House. 

In all large poultry yards, especially where it is intended to 
hatch early broods, a special chicken-house is required ; and 
when we have described how it is to be built, then we have 
done with the subject of houses. The object of having a 
chicken-house is that the early birds may be protected from 
the bad weather generally found in the beginning of the 
year, and, when properly built, they can be kept indoors, if 
necessary. Consequently, such a house must be large and 
roomy ; but, as it can also be used as a hatching-house, there 
will be no waste of space in it. If the birds are crowded 
they will not thrive, and in building, this must be borne in 
mind. 

The position of a chicken-house must be facing south, 
south-west, or south-east, and to this rule there can be no 
exception whatever, as it is an essential that early in the 
year, when the sun's rays are few and far between, alt of 
them be gathered into the house ; for loss of this heat means 
more difficulty in rearing. Wherever possible, the back of 
the house should be a brick or stone wall ; and, if there is 
any measure of certainty about the occupation of the place 



CvJl Profitable Potiltry Keeping, 

upon which it is built, it will be worth the cost of building 
such a wall, if there is not one already which can be used. 
Of course, if the wall of a dwelling-house, stable, or cow- 
shed is available for such a purpose, co much the better ; but 
upon no account must the aspect of the house be altered, 
even to obtain the benefit of a warm wall. Heat of this 
land is good, but the sun's natural heat is far better; and 
for early chicks the latter is absolutely indispensable. If 
both can be obtained, well and good ; if not, let the one we 
have indicated be taken in preference. Whenever possible, 
it is well to have the chicken-house as near to the dwelling 
of the attendant as possible. In a plan of the yard of Sir 
Henry Thompson, near Hampton Court, which appeared in 
one of the Poultry Journals, we noticed that the chicken 
run is directly in front of the poultryman's cottage, the 
house being only a few steps away. Of this we heartily 
approve, as the birds require very great attention during the 
first weeks of their existence ; and, if the attendant has a 
considerable distance to go to them, he will be unable to give 
them the same amount of care, as when they are close at 
hand ; whereas, if only a few steps away, he will often go, 
even though his presence by strict rule may not be absolutely 
required. As far as possible let labour be saved, and the 
saving will be far more than repaid. 

It will be necessary, in selecting the site for a chicken- 
house, to arrange it so that there may be a good-sized run in 
front. The object of this is, not so much that the birds in 
the chicken-house may have plenty of space, when they are 
allowed to run outside, but that later on in the year, say in 
April and May, when the coops are placed outside altogether, 
as they should be, after the birds are a few days old, there will 
be room enough for them. This, we believe, to be a much 
better plan than scattering the birds all about the place, as, 
when the latter is done, they are not sufficiently under the 



Importance of a Ttirf Run. 65 

eye of the attendant. A quarter of an acre will be sufficient 
upon which to rear a couple of hundred chickens ; and, 
perhaps, if more than this number is to be hatched, it will be 
well to divide both the house and run, giving a quarter of an 
acre for every two hundred birds. We do not mean that two 
hundred chicks with their mothers can be kept on this 
amount of ground at one time, for that would be crowding 
with a vengeance ; but, as the older ones are deserted by the 
hens, they will be drafted off into other houses, and younger 
ones be coming on ; so that probably there will be seldom 
more than fifty to eighty upon the ground at one time, and 
this only during four or five months of the year. One-fourth 
of the ground — that immediately in front of the house — 
should be laid in gravel, and the rest be in grass. The nicer 
and smoother the latter is, the better for the birds ; and upon 
no account must the grass be allowed to grow very long, or 
the chicks, in wandering about it, will get at times damp and 
wet, and the result be disease among them. Many ladies 
who keep fowls upon a fairly large scale, place the coops out 
upon their lawns during the spring, and as the grass is kept 
short, the ground, generally drained, and in a sunny place, 
the chickens thrive well. No harm, but a considerable 
amount of good, is done to the grass, as the manure enriches 
it very much. We know poultry yards, where the grass in 
the chicken-yard is as carefully cut and rolled, as a lawn 
can be ; but this is where feather-footed exhibition birds 
are kept. 

The house itself will best take the form of a long and 
rather narrow shed. It need not be more than eight or ten 
feet wide, and any additional ground space had better be 
put into the length than the breadth, as there is in this way 
a larger frontage for the sun to play upon. Where it can 
be done, we prefer the slope of the roof to be to the back ; 
the chief objection to this being, that if the back wall of the 

F 



66 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

house is of brick or stone, and only the height of the roof 
there, the roof itself presents a large amount of space for 
the north and east winds to play upon, so that unless it be 
very substantial the house will be greatly chilled in conse- 
quence. If the back wall is higher than the roof, then a 
spout will be needed to carry off the rain ; and the joint 
between the roof and wall will have to be very well made, or 
the water, and snow especially, will find its way through, and 
thus make the inside of the house damp. Another object in 
having the house this shape, is, that nearly all the front — that 
is from the roof to within a foot of the floor — should be of 
glass, the same as in an ordinary green house ; for, by this 
means, the birds inside will receive benefit from the sun, 
though it may shine only for a moment or two, and at 
the same time be effectually protected from the weather 
outside, no matter what it may be. Even on a winter's day, 
when there is no sun at all, a house facing the south, having a 
glass front, with a substantial back wall, will be many 
degrees warmer than one facing the other way; and birds 
will be quite comfortable in it, whilst they would be chilled 
and miserable in the other. If it is not thought advisable 
to have the slope to the back, but the other way, then the 
front must be of glass, as already stated ; and it will be as 
well to have glass windows (about three feet square) in the 
roof, at the lowest part of it, divided by, say, three feet 
of the roof itself, so that in a house twelve feet long 
there would be two windows in the roof. If the house 
faces south, a window can be inserted in each end, near 
the front ; if south-east, in the western end only ; and if 
south-west, in the eastern end only. Portions of the front 
of the house should be made to open, so that in fine weather 
the birds can get in and out quite easily. A large door will, 
of course, be wanted ; and it will be worth the extra cost 
to have water spouting put round the roof, as thus the drip- 



Defence against Rats, 67 

pings from the same will not fall on to the birds, nor yet 
saturate the ground in front of the house. 

The floor of the house should be dug out to a considerable 
depth, especially if the soil is at all clayey in its nature, 
and filled in, first with a few inches of rubble stones, and 
then levelled up with dry sand. If rats are troublesome 
they must be guarded against, or they will make great 
havoc with the chicks, as we have known them carry off fifty 
— even taking birds from under the hens — within a very few 
days. Two most effectual plans can be adopted, either of 
which will prove a sure protection. One is to get a large 
number of bottles, or thick glass of any kind, and break them 
up into moderate sized pieces, so that the rubble stones will 
be almost covered. The other is to get some very strong wire 
netting, not larger than three-quarter inch mesh, and lay 
this over the stones, bringing it up the sides of the house 
above the ground. Either of these must be done before the 
sand is put on, which can then be spread on as before des- 
cribed, and a sure preventive will be provided against the 
destructive rodents. The wire netting will only last about 
three or four years, as it then gets rotten ; but the glass 
will not be affected in that way, and is probably both 
cheapest and best. A floor made in this way, supposing 
that the sand is about twelve to eighteen inches in depth, 
is warm, clean, and not easily contaminated, but it will 
require to be raked over every morning and all droppings 
removed, to be dug over twice or thrice each season, and be 
renewed every year or two. Sand is, however, inexpensive 
in most places, and hence there need be no bar to its use. 

The hatching boxes and coops are placed on the sand 
(these are described in the chapters on hatching and 
rearing), and it is well to have a shelf at the back of 
the house, say about 2 J- or 3 feet above the ground, under 
which the boxes and coops, can be placed ; this shelf can be 

f 2 



68 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

used for many purposes, such as for an extra row of hatching 
boxes, for a row of pens, if exhibition is to b3 attempted, and 
for surplus birds, or for a place upon which to keep coops 
and other things, when not in use. The size of the house 
is a question which must not be ignored. For a yard 
where a couple of hundred chicks are to be reared, that is, 
if many early ones are required, it should be twenty-four 
feet long by ten feet wide. In height it should be seven 
feet at the highest point, sloping down to three or four 
f 9et at the lowest part of the roof. If made of wood it must 
be kept well whitewashed inside, and painted or tarred out- 
side, and have proper arrangements for ventilation. As the 
house will probably be needed in bad weather, the ventila- 
ting traps should be made to open and close, as suggested 
in the chapter on Building Poultry Houses. This done, the 
chicken house will be all ready for its inmates. 



Choice of Breeds. 69 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE KIND OF FOWLS TO KEEP. 

Choice of Creeds — Errors in Selection — Cross and pure bred Fowls — Breeds to 
be chosen — Confinement or Liberty — Hardy Breeds — Non-sitting Breeds — 
Table Fowls Sitters and Mothers — General utility Fowls. 

Before commencing to describe the many varieties of fowls, 
it is necessary that we should show what kinds should be 
kept by different persons. Success in poultry keeping 
means, not only the proper feeding and management of 
the birds, but the selection of a breed that is suitable to the 
place where they are to be kept. In addition to this, the 
question of what is most in demand must be taken into 
consideration, for in poultry keeping, as in every other pur- 
suit, opportunities must control circumstances, and circum- 
stances adapt themselves as far as possible to opportunities. 
It would be folly for any one to select a breed that is most 
suitable for table purposes, in a place where eggs are wanted 
and chickens at a discount, or, on the other hand, to keep 
laying fowls, where chickens are sought for most of all and 
eggs very plentiful. And it is equally foolish to rear birds of 
no breed whatever, which, having no special characteristics, 
are neither suitable for one purpose or the other. This 
is a most important matter, and, as au illustration of the 
mistakes often made in this way, we may mention that we 
once knew a poultry farm commenced under most favourable 



7o Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

auspices, situated within a short distance of a large manu- 
facturing town, where eggs could be sold in any numbers at 
high rates. The ground laid out for the farm was in many 
respects very suitable, and the houses and runs designed 
with a considerable amount of skill and foresight. The owner, 
however, who was thus careful in almost everything else, 
suddenly became negligent when he began to stock his yards, 
and, instead of buying a few birds of a good laying breed and 
breeding from them as many layers as he required, he went 
into the market and bought some hundreds of hens, paying 
no regard whatever to age or breed. It is true that he got 
them at a less rate than he could have bought pure bred stock, 
and he began to get returns from the sale of produce at once, 
which he could not have done had he bred his stock. But 
the returns were miserably small, the bulk of the hens soon 
wanted to sit, and more hens were bought in order to supply 
the demand for eggs, disease crept in through overcrowding, 
and the balance-sheet showed a very decided margin on the 
wrong side. Disheartened and disgusted, the owner soon 
turned up the whole affair, a sadder, a poorer, though, 
perhaps not a wiser man. Such instances as these could be 
multiplied to almost any extent, and it has probably been 
more due to want of knowledge or thought, that the idea has 
taken root that poultry-keeping does not pay 

There is an idea very prevalent, that cross-bred poultry 
are much more profitable to keep than pure bred ones, and, 
whilst there can be no question that it is a decided advantage 
to cross certain breeds one with another, in order to obtain 
specific results, that is, of course, if the crossing is scien- 
tifically and skilfully performed, having an end in view, this 
is altogether different to the breeding of mongrels, which is 
so common. In the former case there is method, in the 
latter there is none, and it is to this indiscriminate crossing 
that we owe the present degenerate races of farmyard or barn- 



Crossing of Dreed, Ji 

door fowls, email, subject to disease! poor as layers, equally 
as useless on the tabic, and certainly neither profitable nor 
creditable to the owner. The first cross may be useful, if 
properly made, but, it has been found as the experience of 
many, that if these are bred from, the progeny deteriorates, 
both in fecundity and size with every generation. This is a 
matter deserving fuller consideration, which shall be given at 
the proper time ; but, we have mentioned it now, so that it 
may be understood that when we speak of cross-bred fowls, 
W6 mean the first cross only. Others we shall designate by 
the only term they deserve — mongrels. The basis of every 
yard should be pure-bred stock, but where there is room, 
these should only be used for breeding layers or table fowls. 
If only a few can be kept for home consumption, then we 
should advise that crossing be not attempted, but only pure- 
bred birds kept, unless there is some means of getting the 
cross-bred ones at a reasonable price, with the certainty that 
they are as represented. 

Perhaps the consideration we must deal with first of all, is 
the kind ct soil upon which the birds are to be kept, as this 
will have a great deal to do with the kinds of birds that can be 
kept thereon. Any birds can be kept on a dry, sandy, chalk, 
or gravel soil, upon which they will do well ; but there are 
many breeds which never thrive where the ground is cold, 
damp, or clayey. On wet, low-lying lands, we should 
strongly urge that no poultry be kept at all, except it be 
ducks or geese. These will do well in such places, and as 
there is always a demand for water-fowl, and at good prices, 
a considerable profit can be made where fowls would 
entail a heavy loss. We regard duck breeding as one of 
the most profitable portions of poultry keeping,, and are 
surprised that more attention is not paid to it. Upwards of 
8100,000 is paid annunlly to the cottagers in the vicinity of 
Aylesbury, England, for ducklings, and they have no more 



Profitable Poulh v A. . ' .-.<;. 

advantages or opportunities than are bo be found in many 
other places, though higher prices are paid there than here* 

As \w have already stated, any breed can be kept on a 
dry, sandy, chalk, or gravel soil, and those who have those 
advantages are unlimited in their choice. 1 >ut on the day 
this choice becomes at onoo restricted, and we should advise 
that in such i place the following breeds be altogether 
avoided \ Dorkiugs, Spanish. Polish. Creves, and La Flechej 
and, we ma) add, that it will be found Minorcus, Leghorns, 
Houdans, Brahmas, Langshans, Game, A.ndalusians, Ply- 
mouth Rocks, Scotch Grays, and Cochins will be best able to 
stand such s soil, 

The next point to be settled is whether the birds are to 
be kept in confinement or given their liberty, because this is 
u very important consideration, us there are Borne breeds 
which never thrive unless they can have a large amount of 
Bpace given to them. The worst of all in this respect is the 
Hamburgh, which scarcely ever does well in o confined 
space, and after it we must place the Lighter varieties o( the 
Spanish tribe, The hardier of these, Buch as Minorcas and 
Leghorns, are often successfully kept In small runs, hut o( 
course thrive better when they can have s reasonable 
amount of liberty, We need hardly say that everj breed 
does much better when it has freedom than when oooped 
up, and it is b mistake to oxpecl eggs to be very plentiful 
without liberty, except bj verj great care and attention ; 
and hardy chickens are scarcely to be hoped for in the Bmall 
miserable pons so often devoted to breeding Btock, Those 
who wish to keep about half-a-doxen fowls, simply io supply 
eggs for their own tables, may do so in s small run, but they 
must not feed them too well, or internal fat will ensue, and 
this will stop the laying as w-A\ as bring on disease, The 
birds so confined should never be bred from, and it will be 
found advisable to kill them off when about twenty-seven 







A 






v 




Laying Breeds, 75 

months old. For such places as these we should recommend 
Minorcas, Leghorns, Houdans, or Plymouth Rocks, the first 
three of which are non-sitters. 

The majority of poultry keepers have eggs as their 
primary object, and where this is the case they will do 
well to select one of the non- sitting breeds, for, not only are 
these the best layers, but they give no trouble in the way of 
wanting to incubate. Many are the sorrows of a poultry- 
keeper whose hens want to sit when he desires eggs, and 
it is hard work conquering a determined bird of this kind. 
These non-sitting breeds are Hamburghs, Minorcas, Leg- 
horns, Andalusians, Houdans, Spanish, and Polish, which v 
are here given in rotation according to their laying powers. 
The Hamburghs lay small eggs, too small for ordinary mar- 
ket purposes, and the Spanish and Polish are rather deli- 
cate, so we should recommend that the choice be restricted 
to the other four varieties, which, whether they be kept 
pure or crossed will be found first-rate layers of good sized 
eggs. They are also very hardy, and can be kept successfully 
in nearly every place, unless it is really a wet one. We do 
not recommend to have more than two laying breeds, but 
where there is sufficient room we should certainly advise two, 
as they can then be crossed one with the other, if that is 
thought desirable. 

Coming now to those breeds of domestic poultry which are 
specially characterized for their table qualities, and which 
should be kept where there is a demand for dressed fowls, for 
in time quality must tell, we cannot but place at the head -\ 
the Game variety, though they are rather too small for 
ordinary market purposes. Then come in rotation La 
Fleche, Dorkings, Creve-coeurs, Houdans, Langshans, and 
Plymouth Rocks. These are much larger than the Game, 
and will be found to excel any other breeds for quality of 
flesh. The Game crossed with Dorking has been stated to 



j6 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

have the smallest amount of offal, to be very deep in flesh on 

the breast, and is a cross which can be highly recommended. 

In all large yards it will he necessary, unless tho artificial 

method of hatching is adopted, to have a sitting hreed, and 
as the table varieties are nearly all good sitters, one or two 
can he chosen to serve hoth purposes. Some breeds do not 
make good mothers, and others, such as the Cochin and 
Brahma, though the maternal instinct is very great in them, 
are so clumsy that there is great danger of their crushing 
both eggs and chickens. The best for this purpose are Dor- 
kings, Game, Dominiques, Plymouth Bocks, and Langshans, 
or amongst cross-breds the Brahma-Dorking. Thus thero 
will be no difficulty in selecting a breed, which will prove 
first-rate mothers and good table birds. 

In more limited yards where there is not accommodation for 
more than one or two breeds, and it is desirable to have 
such as are both good layers, table fowls and sitters, wo 
should recommend Plymouth Rocks, Langshans, Scotch 
Greys, or Dominiques, or if sitters are not required, then 
there is no better breed for the purpose than the Houdan, 
which has been described as " one of the best fowls for 
ordinary purposes that we possess." AYe have thus rapidly 
shown the varieties of useful fowls, with the qualities for 
which they are noted, but in describing the breeds themselves 
we shall enter more fully into the questions here only touched 
upon. 





< ' ' il , ' ; ; ;■:''■. //I 

i),m 




\ mm [is 



Andalusians, £9 



CHAPTER X. 



THE BIIEEDS OP POULTRY. 



Andalusians — Ased- — Bantams — Brahmas — Cochins— Dominiques— Dorkings- 
French — Game — Hamburghs — Langshans— Leghorns — Malays — Minorcas — 
PI j mouth Rocks — Polish — Scotch Greys — Spanish— Silkies. 

We shall now proceed to briefly describe the various breeds, 
together with their leading characteristics, so that it will be 
easy to decide which varieties will be most suitable to the 
place where they are to be kept, and to the requirements of 
the poultry keeper. We shall put them in alphabetical oider 
for easy reference, and do not intend to go into long de- 
scriptions, which can only puzzle the reader, but will content 
ourselves with a few particulars. Nor do we think it 
necessary to do much more than mention those breeds that 
are purely fancy, for, though perhaps very beautiful, they 
are of no use for commercial purposes. The illustrations 
of the various breeds we give are very correct representations, 
from which the reader will have little difficulty in recog- 
nizing them when seen. We would, however, advise the 
reader who wishes to see for himself the various breeds, to 
visit some poultry show, as he will then be able to verify 
and confirm his own ideas on them. 

Andalusians. 

This is one of the leading varieties of the Spanish group, 
and is sometimes known by the name of Blue Spanish. Tho 



80 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

appearance of all this group has been well described as fol- 
lows : — A close, compact, smallish-sized body, placed upon 
legs of a good length ; the neck rather long, with a fine 
head ; a large, upright-single comb in the cock, and in the 
hen also large, but falling over on one side : and the cocks 
have large sickle-shaped tails. Of course the colour of 
plumage, legs, &c, are different in the several varieties, but 
the general appearance is as here described. 

In Andalusians the plumage is slate-coloured, but on the 
cock's neck and back it is dark purple or nearly black. The 
birds are of a good size, are prolific layers of large white 
eggs, are precocious as chickens, very hardy, bear confine- 
ment well, are fair table birds when young, can be kept on 
all fairly dry soils, and are non-sitters. In selecting birds 
attention should be paid to size, to erectness of carriage ; 
and any white on the face, which ought to be red, should be 
avoided, as this indicates a cross with the black Spanish. 

Aseels. 

These are Indian game cocks, used in that country for 
fighting purposes. They are good in flesh, but very poor 
layers, and so savage that they are not to be recommended, 
and, therefore, we need not say more respecting them. 

Bantams. 

The number of varieties of Bantams is very great, and 
shows every sign of increasing, for experiments are constantly 
being made in order to obtain miniature specimens of the larger 
breeds. As a rule they are simply small specimens, though 
in some cases some differences can be discerned. We only 
give illustrations of two varieties, the white and the Japanese, 
as all Bantams are purely "fancy" fowls, being popular 



, ;,;^ 







B rah mas, 83 

chiefly because of their beauty, and that they can be kept in 
places where large fowls cannot, as well as from the fact 
that they make capital pets. In the Game section there 
are all the varieties known in large game, and in the other 
section we find Blacks (like Black Hamburghs), Whites, 
Gold and Silver Sebrights (or laced), Japanese, Cuckoos, 
Pekins, &c, but as they have no commercial value we need 
not do more than mention their names. 



Bbahmas. 

One of the most prominent of the breeds of poultry is the 
Brahma, and from an exhibitor's, or fancier's point of view, 
perhaps the most valuable. Two hundred dollars has been 
occasionally paid for a first-class bird, and eggs from such 
are almost literally worth their weight in gold ; but, of course, 
there are plenty of good ones to be had at reasonable prices. 
It is undoubtedly a manufactured breed, and for some years 
there was a great controversy as to its origin. At the first 
it was not very attractive in appearance ; but this was in time 
remedied, and of late years it has been so carefully and 
skilfully bred, that its characteristics are firmly fixed and 
clearly defined. It is chiefly valuable for its great size and 
hardiness, and for laying well in winter, although the eggs 
are often small and disproportionate to the size of the fowls 
themselves, but they are rich in quality, next in this respect 
to cochins. They are buff in color, and with many purchas- 
ers this is a decided attraction. 

Brahmas cannot be regarded as first-class table fowls, so 
far as quality of flesh is concerned, having the flesh laid 
more on to the legs than the breast, which is always a dis- 
advantage ; but when they are young they are by no means 
to be despised, especially when their size is considered. For 
a familv fowl they are unequalled, and a large Brahma 

a 7. 



84 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

chicken is sufficient for the dinner of a moderate sized 
family. For crossing purposes they are very useful, when 
table fowls are in view, and we shall have occasion to recom- 
mend them for that purpose. 

There are two varieties of Brahmas, the dark and the 
light, of which we give three illustrations. Both of these are 
alike, save in colour. The shape of a good bird is most pleas- 
ing, as they are well-proportioned and very handsome ; the 
heavily-feathered legs, the deep massive bodies, the neat 
heads, with small pea-combs, all combine to complete the 
effect. They are capital sitters and mothers — though when 
old, rather clumsy and heavy for this purpose, are very docile, 
can be kept on almost any soil that is not absolutely always 
wet, are fairly good as layers, and whilst they should have a 
fair amount of liberty they do not require very extensive 
runs, and can always be kept within bounds by a three-foot 
fence. 

Cochins. 

At one time this was the most popular breed of all, and 
there are many now living who can remember the Cochin 
mania of thirty years ago. Fabulous sums were then 
given for both eggs and chickens, sums which are not ex- 
ceeded by the high prices now obtained, and poultry shows 
were at that time crowded by the fashion and beauty of the 
period, and were mines of wealth to the promoters. It 
was expected that the hens would lay two or three eggs 
a day, and many persons invested their money in them in 
the hope of thus making a fortune. But the breed was 
never worth the fuss made about it, and soon subsided 
into the background, so far as its commercial qualities were 
concerned. Cochins somewhat resemble Brahmas in shape 
and appearance, but have more abundant feather, and are 
rather rounder. They are fairly good as winter layers, but 




WATH SI- 



COCHIN COCK. 




COCHIN HEN. 



Cochins. 89 

in the spring and rammer are bo continually broody that 
very few eggs indeed are obtained from them. In fact, they 
arc the most inveterate si 1 ton of all fowls, and on thin 
account cannot be recommended ; for nit they will, and when 
they will, choosing all kinds of unlikely articles if they 
cannot obtain eggs. They arc clumsy, and often break 
the eggs, or crush the chickens given to them. They are 
very hardy and easy to rear, can be kept on any soil, arc very 
docile, but make poor table birds, except so far as size is 
concerned, having coarse flesh and large bones. We give 
portraits of a fairly good pair of bufFs, though the best exhi- 
bition birds are now bred higher in the tail and with more 
leg and footfeather than is here represented* There are four 
colours — buff, partridge, black, and white — all of which are 
very handsome, and look well in a show pen, or on a lawn, 
where appearance and not utility is looked for. But as com- 
mercial fowls they arc of no use whatever. 



Dominjques. 

These arc birds of American origin, and resemble Cuckoo 
Dorkings in shape and in some other respects, but have a 
rose comb. They have yellow legs, are very hardy, will thrive 
on almost any soil, are capital layers, fairly good table birds, 
good sitters and mothers, making altogether a most useful 
breed for general purposes. They have not, however, come 
into anything like general favour as show birds, and therefore 
are not very easy to obtain of high quality, but would, wo 
think, amply repay any one who took them up. ' 



Dorkings. 

Dorkings and Games are, perhaps, the oldest and best 
preserved of all the English pure-bred fowls. The general 



90 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

characteristics are, a square-shaped body, with a quiet stately 
carriage, the breast being put well forward. Some varieties 
have a single, and others a rose comb, but in all cases the 
head is large, yet neat. The wattles are large and pendant ; 
the neck is short, taper and with full hackle ; the body is large 
and deep when viewed sideways, almost forming a square ; the 
breastbone is deep, the back broad, the tail full, and the thighs 
large and full ; the legs are white in colour, straight, strong, 
and clean, have five toes ; and the whole frame is large. 
Full-grown cocks weigh 101b. to lllb., and hens 81b. to 
91b. 

This breed is the old-fashioned Sussex fowl, and' takes its 
name from the town of the same name in that county. It 
has long held the pre-eminent position among English table 
fowls, and deservedly so, for its white flesh, deep breasts, 
white legs, and light bones make it one of the best fowls 
that can be placed upon the table. There are four kinds of 
Dorkings — w T hite, silver grey, cuckoo, and coloured — all of 
which are equally good for table purposes, the last named 
being the largest. In England great size is attained, some 
cockerels weighing 81b. to lllb., and adult birds 101b. to 
141b., which, unlike some other breeds, is not made up of 
heavy bones, thick shanks, and fleshy thighs. The great 
drawback to this breed is its tenderness. Whilst the birds 
can stand any amount of cold, as is proved by their being so 
largefy bred in the north of Scotland, they cannot thrive in a 
damp place ; and, consequently, unless the ground is of a 
dry, porous nature, some other breed should be chosen. 
Good housing and feeding will do much, but even these will 
not be sufficient on a heavy clay soil, which is always fatal. 
All Dorkings have five toes, and, as is generally found, this 
characteristic is generally accompanied by a tendency to 
"bumble foot," which is an enlargement of the joints there. 
To obviate this as far as possible, the birds should have low 



,1 




French, 93 

perches and soft floors and runs. Dorkings are not very 
good as layers, being table fowls first of all. 



French. 

The French people have devoted considerably more atten- 
tion to poultry than the English have, — at least so far 
iu the economic qualities are concerned, and as a result 
their fowls are much superior in commercial character! 
with one or two exceptions, to the English breeds. In all 
cases they have regarded egg laying and quality of meat 
before mere feather, but at the same time have bred to 
certain general standards, and avoided the production of 
mongrels, which has not been the case either in America 
or England. Many of the French breeds are remark- 
able, both for size, quality of flesh, and depth of breast, 
and, as those of our readers who have been in Paris can 
testify, are prepared in a much superior manner to the ones 
at home, and look much better upon the table. Upon this 
aspect of the question we shall have more to say later on, 
when our remarks will be more appropriate. Unfortunately, 
nearly all the French breeds have dark legs, and, therefore, 
are objected to in many places where there is a prejudice 
in favour of light ones. But we hope this prejudice will 
soon die out, and were it not for poulterers and cooks, it 
would have died a natural death already. They are the 
culprits in the matter, and if their influence was being 
rightly used in favour of quality and not mere appearance, 
their customers would very soon be reconciled to the change, 
for the legs, in spite of all that may be believed, are no 
criterion as to the colour of the flesh. We shall now 
briefly describe the chief French breeds, as known in this 
country. 

The Houdan is one of the most useful breeds we have, 



94 Profitable Poultry Keeping* 

and is now thoroughly acclimatized here. It is espe- 
cially worthy of the attention of those who have not ft 
very dry or warm soil, or who desire a good layer, and, 
at the same time, a plump, large table fowl; or o( those 
who have to fight against the black leg prejudice, and 
yet from the nature of their place cannot, keep Dorkings. 
The breed has undoubtedly been produced in the first in- 
stance by Orossing, but the same can be said of many of 
tho other breeds, and it is no disadvantage to it, as ifc 
certainly breeds pure, and is one of the best farmer's or 
cottager's fowls we have. As will he seen from the illus- 
tration we give, the head has a small crest ; the plumage is 
black and white spangled, the legs are pinky in colour, tho 
fifth toe is present, as in Dorkings, tho form is bulky and 
tho size large. It bears confinement well, can be kept on 
any soil, is very hardy, lavs well, its flesh is all that can bo 
desired, and it is a non-sitter. We should not, however, 
advise purchasers to take birds simply because they have won 
in tho show pen, but get them from some place where llondans 
have been kepi for years, and bred chiefly for economic qualities. 
They are then most valuable, and as Mr. Tegetmeier says, 
they " may certainly be regarded as the Dorkings of France* 
Large, heavy, short legged, live-toed fowls, with small 
light bone, a remarkable absence of offal, and with irregularly 
speckled or mottled plumage, they strongly recall to mind 
tho old-fashioned coloured Dorking, as it existed beforo 
any attention had been directed to uniformity of feathering 
by the poultry shows. Their merits as table fowl are of 
the highest excellence. No pure bred chickens mature with 
greater, or perhaps with as great, a degree o( rapidity; they 
feather early, are extremely hardy, and consequently easily 
reared. The old birds are robust, and the eggs which tiro 
numerous, are remarkable as being almost invariably fertile." 
Of all the Frcneli breeds La Fleche stands at tho head for 



HKKKmmMWmA V / . ^ 




a 



La Fleche. 



99 



table qualities, and for the great feast of Ifardi gras, held 
in Paris on Shrove Tuesday, it is no uncommon thing for 

one hundred francs to be given for a pair of tho.se birds, 
weighing 101b. each, plucked and dressed. The flesh is beau- 
tifully white, and there is plenty of depth on the breast. They 

feed well, hut, unfortunately, have been found in America to 
omewhat delicate, at least in damp situatic . I where 

they have not full liberty. It was formerly thought that they 

were too delicate for England; but in the year L882 Mr. 
W. B. Tegetmeier, when over in Paris, was ho struck with 
the table qualities of these fowls that he purchased some 
for his own use. These he placed in his grounds at Finchley, 
on the north side of London, where the bed of clay is one 
of the heaviest in the neighbourhood of the Metropolis* 
The birds were given fall liberty, and his experience has 
been that they are as hardy as any other breed when so 
kept. In confinement they arc undoubtedly delicate, but 
with freedom can be kept by almost any one. They are 
large, tall, well-shaped birds, with glossy, green-black 
plumage : have red feces, white ears, and a horned comb, 
the last of which does not add to their beauty, giving tl 
an almost satanic appearance. They are clean legged, the 
legs being dark in colour, are non-sitters, and in France 
are specially bred for table qualiti 

The Creve-Cksur is a large bird, with metallic black plumage, 
but of a lower, squarer build than La Fleche. It is also 
much more attractive in appearance ; its head is surmounted 
by a handsome crest, which, in young hens especially, is 
beautifully round and pleasing. The legs are also black, 
but the flesh is almost equal to the best English or French 
fowl. It is hardy, easily reared on any moderately dry 
soil, is a non-sitter, and a fairly good layer, but the eggs 
are small. It is necessary to have a good shelter for 
Creves, so that they can be protected in wet or cold weather, 

ii 2 



ioo Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

as they are rather liable to colds and roup if the crests gefc 
wet ; but for this they would be oftener kept than they are. 

There are, in addition to the breeds already named, several 
others, such as La Bresse and Courtes Pattes, but as these 
have no special characteristics more than we have already 
named in the others, and are not very easily obtained in this 
country, we need not do more than mention them here. 

Game. 

These are probably the oldest of the pure English breeds, 
and have been bred for many generations with great care and 
skill. In olden times cock-fighting was a pastime almost 
national, and was indulged in by both rich and poor. Game 
fowls were bred for this purpose, courage and endurance 
being most sought after, and these were combined with great 
beauty of plumage. Some of the highest men of England 
thought it no dishonour to breed fowls for this purpose; and 
important " mains" were regarded with as great interest as 
are some of the chief race meetings now — this too within 
the memory of man, for there are many living now, and not 
old men either, who were accustomed to indulge in this cruel 
pastime. In modern times a higher standard of taste has 
done away with cock-fighting, except such as is carried on 
secretly ; but the change has not done away with the splendid 
race of fowls, though it is much changed from the old fight- 
ing days. Unfortunately, however, the pugnacious nature 
remains, and for this cause most people are unable to keep 
game birds pure. For crossing purposes, as we shall after- 
wards see, they can be utilised ; and, as all kinds of games 
are fair layers, splendid sitters, attentive mothers, have the 
finest eating flesh of any race of domestic fowl, are very 
hardy, easy to rear, and can be kept on any soil when at 
liberty, if this crossing is judiciously done, these characteris- 





\ 





fl 



I 

I 






Hamburg hs. 103 

tics can be largely retained, without the fear of constant 
warfare. 

The chief kinds of games are black-breasted reds, brown- 
breasted reds, duckwings and piles, all of which are very 
handsome; and we cannot wonder at the popularity of the 
breed among those who have opportunities for keeping it, 
considering its great beauty, endurance and pluck. Among 
suburban working-men it is the first favorite, and magnifi- 
cent birds are often bred under the most unfavourable con- 
ditions. The prices realized for high-class show specimens 
are very great, and over $500 has been paid for a single cock 
two or three times during the last three or four years. Of 
course, good birds can be obtained at reasonable prices ; but 
no one should attempt to keep this variety unless he has 
plenty of room, and, for those whose object is profit, we can 
scarcely recommend it except for crossing purposes. 



Hamburghs. 

First and foremost among all laying breeds of fowls stand 
the Hamburghs, for they are undoubtedly the most prolific 
layers we have, and it is no unusual thing for hens to lay 
200 to 230 eggs per annum. Unfortunately, however, their 
eggs are small, and the fowls do not bear confinement very 
well. They have, from their great beauty, come to be regarded 
as a fancier's fowl, pure and simple ; and whether we look at 
Ihe cock, with his neat head, beautiful plumage, close com- 
pact shape, and sweeping tail, ornamented by a well shaped 
rose comb, and pure ear lobes, or at the hen, neat and saucy 
as she appears, rich in colour and sprightly in carriage, we 
cannot but be attracted by them. As show birds there are 
five varieties now most recognized, namely, gold pencilled, 
silver pencilled, gold spangled, silver spangled, and black. 
Of all these the blacks are the most useful, they being much 



104 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

larger than the others in body, lay larger eggs, and, either 
alone, or crossed with some breed that will increase the size of 
the egg, such as any one of the Spanish varieties, will be found 
profitable, if plenty of room can be given to them. Hamburghs 
must have space ; if wired-in, a ten-foot fence is necessary 
to restrain them ; but on farms where they are not at all 
restricted they will do very well. It must, of course, be under- 
stood that we are speaking of where they are kept in large 
numbers, when we say that they must have room. A few 
birds can easily be kept in a moderately confined place, as is 
done in hundreds of instances, and some of the very best 
birds bred every year, both in this and other varieties, are so 
bred, in places where the fowls have little more than moving 
room. When they have plenty of room most of the varieties 
of Hamburghs are hardy, easy to rear, and, as they are non- 
sitters, make most useful fowls, where the size of egg laid is 
of less importance than the number. 

As already stated, the blacks are the best for commercial 
purposes, and the silver spangles come next in point of size 
and hardiness. In selecting such birds for stock purposes, 
mere show qualities, such as fineness of ear lobe and comb, 
should be ignored, and size of body, good shape and liveliness 
of carriage be looked for principally. The larger the fowl the 
larger the egg, as a rule, and by selection both can very 
materially be increased. There are other varieties besides 
those named, such as red caps, creels and pheasants, which 
lay good sized eggs, and can be recommended equally with 
the blacks as useful fowls. 



Langshans. 

About the origin of this breed of fowls considerable con- 
tention has taken place ; but we have no desire to enter here 
into the controversy at all. It has only been a very few years 



Langs hans. 107 

in America, being first introduced from China through 
England and vaunted by its sponsors as an entirely new 
breed ; but, as it bears some resemblance to Black Cochins as 
they were at first, it is thought by many that the two breeds 
are very nearly allied. There can be no question but that 
they are vastly different now, resembling each other only in 
colour ; for, whilst the Langshan is a splendid layer and a 
capital table bird, not too determined a sitter, and a most 
valuable fowl for general purposes, the other is just the 
opposite of all these. The Cochin is handsomer in appearance, 
but that is all. We are disposed to think the truth of the 
whole matter is, that the Langshan of the present day and 
the Black Cochin of thirty years ago, are, if not exactly the 
same, very nearly so, but that the latter has been spoiled by 
the breeding for fancy points alone. 

The Langshan is a large bird, standing upon somewhat 
long legs, which are only very slightly feathered. It has a 
single upright comb, beautiful metallic plumage, and has 
inuch of the Cochin shape. In addition to the qualities 
already named, it is very hardy, easily reared, can be kept on 
any soil, bears confinement very well indeed, and is a most 
faithful mother, but, as we have already indicated, not so 
constant a sitter as is the Cochin. It is, indeed, one of the 
most valuable additions to our list of fowls that has been 
made of late years, and its beautiful bright plumage makes 
it most attractive. Whilst not agreeing with what some of 
its friends have claimed for it, we have no wish to deny its 
good qualities, and regard it as one of the best all-round 
pure-bred fowls for ordinary purposes that we possess. 

Leghorns. 

This is a sub-variety of the Spanish type of birds, which 
originally came from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, 



108 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

principally from Northern Ital}-, where it is the common 
breed of the country, and is known all over the continent as 
the "Italian" fowl. Leghorns were brought some years 
ago to the United States, and their intrinsic merits soon 
made them one of the most popular breeds in this country 
for those poultry breeders who regard utility as of equal, if 
not greater, importance than fancy points. It was from 
America that Leghorns were originally taken to England ; 
and although at first they were met with a great amount of 
prejudice, they have gradually overcome it, and are now very 
popular indeed. Originally there were but two varieties, the 
white and the brown, but now there are two others, the black 
and the cuckoo. 

The chief characteristics of Leghorns are — a somewhat 
large-sized single comb, with deeply cut serrations, and the 
comb itself extending down over the back of the head ; long 
pendant wattles, red face, with white ear lobes, yellow bill, 
and clean legs of the same colour, the hackles full, and a 
sweeping tail in the cocks. The body is smallish, but close 
and compact, and the whole appearance sprightly and pleasing. 
The comb of the hen is large, and falls over on to one side, 
in a single fold. So far as colour is concerned, in the whites 
it is that self colour throughout the plumage ; but in the 
browns the markings are very like brown-red game, though 
not quite so bright, In the cock, the hackles are golden bay, 
striped with black ; the back red, each feather having a stripe 
of brighter bay ; the breast rich black, standing out full in 
front ; the wings large, of a dark red, striped across with bars 
of bay and green-black ; the sickles long, green and black in 
colour; and the legs yellow, as we have already stated. In 
the hen the breast is a light salmon brown ; the neck hackle 
yellow, striped with brown ; the back brown, with slight pen- 
cilling thereon ; and the action sprightly and graceful. The 
blacks are self colour, and the cuckoos, black and white mixed. 




BROWN LEGHORNS. 



Leghorns. 1 1 1 

Leghorns are splendid layers of fair-sized eggs, the whites 
being both the best layers and producing the largest eggs. 
They are very precocious and hardy (we have known pullets 
commence to lay at fifteen weeks old, and heard of an instance 
where the second generation was bred within five months), 
bear confinement very well, and can be kept almost on any 
soil, but they are not good as table birds. They are small 
eaters, and, when at liberty, splendid foragers. Unfortunately, 
during the last few years the size has diminished, especially 
with the brown variety, chiefly from the fact that Leghorns 
have become favourite exhibition birds, and, as a consequence, 
fancy points have been looked at before the commercial 
qualities. There are signs, however, that an improvement 
is taking place in this respect, which, we trust, may be the 
case, as the breed is a most valuable one, and we should be 
sorry to see it injured in any way. For those who wish to 
produce eggs for maiket, it is one of the best breeds that 
can be kept. 

Malays. 

The Malay is of East Indian origin, and was doubtless at 
first bred chiefly for fighting purposes. As a commercial 
fowl it is not to be recommended, for it is not only a poor 
layer, but also very quarrelsome. It can be used to cross 
with the Dorking for table purposes, as the meat is very 
richly flavoured ; but, except for this, it is not worth keeping. 
It is tall, gaunt, and almost ugly, with huge shanks and 
bones, and a coarse head. 



Minoecas. 

These form another variety of the Spanish section, and 
have been carefully bred for very many years in the south- 



I 12 



Profitable Poultry Keeping, 



western districts of England, outside of which, until recently, 
they were scarcely known. But now their great value as 
layers has made them very popular indeed all over that 
country, and they promise to become first favorites in this 
as well. Nor can we wonder at it, for their great fecundity, 
the large eggs they produce, their precocity and hardiness, 
their adaptability for all soils and places, whether con- 
fined or otherwise, makes them one of the most useful 
breeds we possess, and being non-sitters we must give 
Minorcas the first position among all the laying breeds of 
poultry. 

The Minorcas are in many places known by the name of 
"Red-faced Spanish," and are the nearest, in shape and 
appearance, to the Black Spanish of all varieties of fowls. 
It is probable that the two races were originally one, and 
that the faces then were red, as the Minorcas now have them ; 
but the Spanish have been bred with white faces, and spoiled 
by too fine breeding. The shape is not unlike the Leghorn, 
but the comb is much larger, and there is the red face, the 
white ear lobes, and the clean legs also. There are two 
colours, the blacks and the whites, but the latter are very little 
seen, and the blacks are the ones of which we have been 
speaking, being really splendid birds. Their metallic black 
plumage makes them very handsome, and they are for the 
same reason very suitable for keeping in towns, or in such 
districts as are not over clean, from the proximity of factories 
or works of any kind. As layers Minorcas are about the 
best breed w r e have at present ; they can be kept on any soil, 
either at liberty or in confinement, are capital foragers, 
small eaters, and, were we about to commence keeping a 
large number of fowls on a farm, we should certainly select 
this as the laying breed, either alone, or to cross with some 
of the other Spanish varieties. 




BLiOK MINORCA 



Polish. 117 

Plymouth Rocks. 

This is a variety of New England manufacture, but is 
nevertheless a most useful breed for general purposes, and 
has become wonderfully popular within a very short time. 
The fowls are cuckoo in plumage, and resemble a Cochin in 
shape more than anything else, as that variety has doubtless 
had much to do in the making them. They are large in 
body, adult birds being of ten and twelve pounds weight ; 
have strong yellow legs ; are very good layers, (but the eggs 
are small, though very rich in flavour) ; are capital as table 
birds, with a good supply of meat on the breast ; are fairly 
good sitters and mothers; very hardy, can be kept on almost 
any soil, and bear confinement very well. Throughout the 
United States they are great favourites, competing with 
Leghorns for first position, and are doubtless most useful for 
general purposes, but are not characterized by any great 
beauty. They have found many friends in England during 
recent years, and are now kept in large numbers, which show 
every sign of increasing. 

Polish. 

The Polish must be regarded as one of the most beautiful 
of all the races of poultry, but it is more suitable as a fancy 
fowl than for commercial purposes. In fact, it is not to be 
recommended for the latter at all. There are four principal 
varieties — the gold-spangled, the silver- spangled, the white- 
crested blacks, and the buff, or chamois, all of which are very 
beautiful indeed. Polish are of a medium size, with well- 
shaped bodies, very rich coloured plumage in the coloured 
varieties, clean legs, sweeping tails, but their chief glory is a 
large globular crest which surmounts the head. The illustra- 
tion which we give is representative of a good pair of white- 



1 1 8 Profitable Poufay Keeping, 

crested blacks, which is about the most striking of all the 
Polish tribe. They are fairly hardy, but require to be kept 
where they can have plenty of shelter in wet weather, for 
they are very subject to colds and roup. They are good 
layers and table birds, are non-sitters, and most suitable 
in dry town runs, where they have not a great amount of 
liberty. 

Although not generally placed under the head of Polish, 
yet as they are undoubtedly of the same origin, we now 
mention the Sultan fowl, which has several points in 
common with the Polish. It originally came from Turkey, 
and hence its name. The size is small, the plumage is 
pure white and very plentiful, the head is surmounted by a 
large crest, with heavy muffs below, the hock and leg feathers 
are well developed, and the birds are fairly hardy. They 
are good layers and non-sitters, but cannot be regarded as 
commercial fowls. 



Scotch Greys. 

Until a few years ago, very few of these handsome birds 
were to be seen in England and almost none in America. 
They have been long kept in Scotland, and the first Edin- 
burgh show we ever visited was a revelation to us, for some 
two or three hundred birds were there exhibited. They are 
really a large, hardy, cuckoo Dorking without the fifth toe, 
and are capital layers, good sitters and mothers, first-rate 
table birds, hardy, and can be reared on almost any soil, 
though they do best in dry places. Having white or mottled 
legs, they can be used both for a chicken trade and as layers, 
and their economic qualities will doubtless insure them a 
welcome in many places, where they have heretofore been 
unknown, and where a hardy and large fowl is specially 
needed. 




pq 

P 

H 

h 

CO 
| 



Silkies. 1 2 1 



Black Spanish. 



This breed was at one time the most popular of all, and 
certainly merited everything that could be said in its favour, 
as it was a small eater, a prolific layer of large eggs, and bore 
confinement very well. But that was before it bad been 
spoiled by the attentions of the fanciers, who, by breeding for 
fancy points, have almost ruined it; we mean by the foolish 
development of the white face, which has boon at the 
expense of its stamina and strength. It is still a good 
layer, but the chickens arc troublesome to rear, are very 
slow in feathering, and the adult birds get through the moult 
with great difficulty, and it is poor as a table bird. In a few 
strains, which have not been bred for show purposes, and in 
which the white face has not been unduly developed, these 
failings arc not so much found, and the birds have all the old 
strength and value ; but these are very scarce and difficult to 
obtain, and we should advise any one who wishes to keep 
Spanish for profit, to cross them with the Black Minorcas, as 
by this means strength will be secured, and without injury to 
the laying properlies. As will have been seen from what we 
have said, Spanish need a warm, dry soil, and special treat- 
ment during chickenhood, and the moulting season. The 
plumage is bright black, the comb single (erect in the cock, 
lying over in the hen, as is shown in the illustration), the face 
white, the tail sweeping, and the legs black. 

Silkies. 

These arc scarcely to be regarded as commercial fowls, but, 
as they are often used for hatching other eggs, for they are 
exceptionally good mothers, and as they are of great anti- 
quity, they cannot be regarded as out of place here. They 
are small in size, have purple coloured faces and flesh of a 



122 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

similiarly dark hue, but their great peculiarity is, that their 
feathers are not webbed, as aro those of other fowls, but 
separate, and giving the appearance of a covering of silk or 
down. Respecting them Mr. Tegetmeier in his Poultry Book 
remarks : — " In form Silk fowls are compact, and low on the 
legs ; in this respect resembling well-bred Cochins. They 
are by no means of so great a weight as they appear, for 
their feathers when in good condition are very fluffy, and 
stand well out from the body, giving them the appearance 
of far greater bulk than they in reality possess. Their 
ordinary weight is under two pounds each for the hens, and 
two pounds and a half for the cocks. From their small size 
they are not unfrequently termed silky bantams, and are 
often exhibited at our poultry shows in the classes for those 
breeds. The eggs laid by silk fowls are small in size, and 
of a pale buff colour. The hens usually lay about twenty 
or twenty-five eggs before showing any desire to sit ; they 
are admirable mothers, and, on this account, as well as from 
the warmth afforded by their downy plumage, they are well 
suited for rearing pheasants or partridges." 




8 



Cross-bred Poultry. 



CHAPTER XL 

CROSS-BRED POULTRY. 

Farm-yard mongrels — First Cross only to be Used — Value of Cross-breeding — 
Pure bred Fowls to be the Foundation — Sale of Eggs and Chickens — Methods 
of Cross-breeding — Some Croises - Improving present Stocks. 

Considerable attention Las been of late devoted to the 
subject of cross-bred fowls, and the real value of crossing, 
as well as the lines upon which it should go, have at last been 
agreed upon. The ordinary cross-bred poultry, such as we 
see on too many farms, are simply mongrels, crossed and 
re-crossed; but w 7 e do not mean these at all. When w r e say 
cross-bred, we must be understood to refer to a cross between 
two pure breeds, by which definite characteristics are to be 
obtained. Therefore, in using the term cross-bred, it must 
be remembered that we mean a first cross only, for if cross- 
bred birds be bred from, the slock rapidly degenerates, and 
loses those qualities for which the crossing had been made. 
It has been advocated by some writers, that, because the first 
cross is profitable, following ones must be the same ; and, in 
one place, we read that poultry should be crossed " as much 
as possible, as you cannot have too many breeds mixed. " 
This is simply nonsense, and it has been proved over and 
over again, that repeated crossing is positively injurious, and 
that where this system is practised, the birds get smaller in 
size, weaker in body, and less prolific. Crossing can only be 
beneficial when it is conducted with skill and foresight, both 



126 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

of which can easily be attained, by any one having ordinary 
common sense. If crosses are made without relation to the 
characteristics of the birds so used, or without due apprecia- 
tion of what is wanted in the progeny, or, again, simply made 
for the sake of crossing, then the result can hardly fail to be 
unsatisfactory. 

It will be asked by those who have large numbers of fowls, 
which they keep for the sake of profit only, and who do not 
care or who have no desire for pure-bred fowls as such, whether 
it is better to keep the birds pure or crossed. We certainly 
prefer the cross-bred birds for profit, but there must be pure- 
bred fowls to supply the stocks of layers or table birds, and 
these will have to be mated together in a systematic manner. 
There are many advantages to be obtained by crossing, the 
first, and perhaps principal, of which is the greater hardiness 
of the birds so produced. The tendency of all high-class 
breeding is to develop some point or quality, which is generally 
secured only by the sacrifice of others, and thus, as these 
points or qualities are by no means general, a certain amount of 
in-breeding must take place ; or, the strength and constitution 
of the animals are regarded as minor matters, and the result 
is a weakening of the system. A first cross remedies this, 
but, strange to say, the second generation begins to go back 
again ; and the promiscuous crossing and in-breeding among 
farm-yard fowls is undoubtedly the great cause of their de- 
terioration. There is a natural law for this, but we have not 
space here to enter into the details of it. Another great ad- 
vantage is, that certain qualities can be bred for, which are 
only to be got in pure-bred stock after many years of labour, 
and not even then if feather is made the chief point. For 
instance, Leghorns are good layers, but only moderate table 
birds. To remedy the latter defect, without injury to the 
laying powers, if present outward characteristics were to be 
preserved, w r ould be a long and weary task ; but in one year, 




SILKIES. 



Cross Breeding. 129 

by means of a judicious cross, fowls can be obtained that 
will retain the good lading qualities of Leghorns, and yet be 
vastly superior for table purposes. Of course, the distinctive 
colour and shape would be largely done away with, and, 
therefore, if this were objected to, such a cross should not 
be made. As we have already said, there must be a certain 
amount of in-breeding among pure-bred stock, which natur- 
ally weakens the system, and reacts upon the commercial 
properties of the fowl. For profitable purposes, therefore, we 
strongly recommend cross-breeds, as th Q y are much superior 
to the pure breeds, if properly mated. Hap-hazard mating 
of birds will do no good, but rather the reverse, and there 
must be an object in view in all that is done, or more harm 
than good will certainly be the result. 

There is yet another advantage in having pure-bred fowls 
to breed from, and that is, there are many persons all over 
the country who have room for only a few fowls, say, half-a- 
dozen to a score, and who only wish to supply their own 
tables with eggs, and, in a few cases, with a chicken now and 
again. Many of these have not space sufficient to allow 
them to go in for breeding, and others only want to rear a 
very few chickens every year, say, one or two clutches at 
most. Such persons do not care for showing, but at the 
same time like to have pure-bred fowls. They are generally 
willing to give two dollars for a good cockerel, and two-thirds 
as much for a nice-looking pullet; or, when they take a fancy 
to rear a few chickens, they prefer to obtain a few eggs from 
another yard, and will pay two or three dollars for a setting 
of eggs. There are some poultry yards where hundreds of 
settings of eggs, and hundreds of birds, are sold in this way 
every year ; and we do not see why every farmer who goes in 
for poultry should not do a little in this way also. Of course, 
if every one did this, each one would make less out of it. 
than those who have it all to themselves now do ; but, as there 

K 



130 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

is always a demand for birds to provide a change of blood, and 
there are probably fifty poultry-keepers, who have only a few 
fowls for their own household purposes, to every farmer who 
could go in for the business we have mentioned, there would 
even then be plenty of room for all ; and we may reasonably 
suppose that the number of small poultry-keepers would in- 
crease as rapidly as the larger ones, if, indeed, not more 
rapidly. Not only is the demand for pure-bred stock greater 
for this purpose than for cross-bred s, but the prices are 
much greater also. There is always a pleasure in looking at 
birds which have a decided individuality of their own, at 
least, where the keeping of them is made a hobby; and it is 
surprising how much greater pride is taken in fowls of this 
kind than is taken in mongrels. Cross-bred fowls will sell 
for very little more than killing prices, and their eggs, for 
hatching purposes, will only realize market prices per dozen ; 
whilst pure-bred ones, even though the parents in each case 
may be of the same family, will bring twice and often three 
times the money. Thus it will be seen that the keeping 
of a stock of pure-bred birds is the best paying system of 
the two. 

When commencing, the best plan is to purchase one or 
two pens of pure-bred fowls, if there are none that can be 
used for the purpose already in the yard, the cocks to be of 
a breed that will help the qualities of the hens. Each pen 
will require to be kept by itself, and should have a good run, 
or perfect freedom, as exercise has much to do with the hardi- 
ness of the chickens. If the houses are placed a good 
distance from each other, there will be very little danger of 
intermixing. Only the eggs from these pens should be 
hatched, and (calculating that half will be cockerels) in 
sufficient numbers to completely stock the yard with having 
hens in the autumn, when the present stock of hens, if any, 
can be fattened and killed off, just before they go into the 



Desirable Cross Bi'eeds. 131 

moult. By this means a race of first-class birds will be 
obtained, and the difference in returns the following winter 
if mongrels have been previously kept, will show the wisdom 
of the course adopted. Layers can easily be got that will 
produce an average of 150 to 200 eggs per annum, and table 
fowls that will grow and fatten very rapidly. The breeding 
hens can be put among the young ones in the autumn, as they 
will be wanted again the following spring. In all well-regulated 
yards it is customary to kill off the hens when about nine- 
teen months old, just before they go into their second moult, 
as they are still good for eating, or, at any rate, much 
better than they will ever be again ; and, as every moult gets 
more severe and protracted, and the number of eggs laid 
fewer, it is much more profitable to supply their places with 
young hens. But the same breeding stock will do again, 
simply filling up the g<^ a, or introducing fresh birds as may 
be found necessary. As breeders of laying fowls we suggest 
the following crosses, the first-named of each pair being the 
cock : — Black Minorca — Leghorn ; Minorca — Houclan ; An- 
dalusian — Leghorn; Andalusian — Minorca; or, Andalusian 
— Houdan. For good all-round fowls — layers, sitters, and 
table fowls : — Game — Houdan ; Game — Langshan ; Game 
— Brahma ; or, Game — Scotch Grey. And for first-class 
table birds : — Game — Dorking ; Game — La Fleche ; Game 
— Creve ; or, Dorking — La Fleche. These crosses will be 
found sufficient for those who wish to try the plan suggested, 
and we should recommend them not to keep too many varieties. 
One laying and one table-fowi cross, will be sufficient for 
most yards. 

Doubtless there will be some of our readers who have a 
stock of hens which they do not wish to part with, and would 
prefer to improve these by obtaining some fresh cocks. We 
do not look upon this as the best plan, but at the same time 
give such information as will help those w T ho prefer to adopt 

k 2 



132 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

it. The way to proceed is, to select twelve to fifteen clean- 
legged, close-bodied liens, known to be good layers, and not 
more than two years old, and buy a couple of Minorca, Houdan, 
or Andalusian cockerels, if layers only are wanted, and Lang- 
shan or Game, if both layers and table birds arc desired. 
Mate these up with the hens spoken of, and the progeny will 
be vastly superior to the present stock, which can be partially, 
or entirely, cleared out in the autumn. The cockerels just 
named should be got rid of also, and the following spring a 
similiar number of the pullets bred should be selected, and a 
couple of fresh cockerels obtained, of the same breed as before, 
which will have to be repeated every year. By this means 
the fowls will gradually improve, and in a very few years the 
character of the yard will be entirely altered. Or, another 
plan, is to buy five cocks for every fifty hens, and let all run 
together, killing ofT the old hens in the autumn, and buying 
new cocks every spring. Both these methods are, however, 
slow, and the one we first named, will be found cheapest and 
best in the long run. 



Ducks. 133 



CHAPTER XIL 

DUCKS. 

Ducks very profitable — Water needed for Breeder! — Not to be kept with liens — 
Duck Farms— Hooting — The Wild Duck — The Aylesbury — The Rouen — 
The Pekin— The Cayuga— The Muscovy — Ornamental Varieties — Keeping 

in Small Runs — Forcing — Breeding — Hatching —Hearing — Feeding — Pre- 
paring Rice. 

Of all the various kinds of domesticated poultry, which can 
bo kept by farmers or cottagers, there is no doubt that ducks 
are the most profitable ; but they need a suitable place to be 
kept in, and are not so capable of adapting themselves to 
circumstances as are hens. They are, however, hardy, 
easily reared, feed up quickly, and can, at the proper season 
of the year, or in some places at almost any season, bo sold 
very readily at good prices. Where there are towns within 
a reasonable distance of a farm, arrangements can be made 
to supply hotels, restaurants, private houses, or dealers, and 
we are sure the result will be a satisfactory one. Of coarse, 
water will be required, and a running stream is best of all, 
but the soil can be of any nature, though where it is gravel 
or sand, it is all the better for the purpose, as ducks require 
one or other of these to help them in the digestion of their 
food, and the more easily they do digest the food the better 
they will thrive. Ducks do not want good land, but can be 
kept on uncultivated ground, and it will be none the worse 
for them if they can have some good shelter, such as trees or 
bushes afford. They must not, however, be kept with hens, 



134 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

or the latter will be found to suffer in consequence, as ducks 
thrive in dirt, and hens do not, so that, if there is not 
sufficient room to permit of their being widely separated, 
then hens or ducks should be selected, for which the place and 
soil is most suitable, and for the produce of which there is most 
demand in the district. As an instance of what is done in 
this way, we may state that the Aylesbury district, England, 
is great for ducks, and it is said that upwards of $100,000 
per annum is paid to the cottagers around the town of 
Aylesbury for ducklings, which are chiefly reared for the 
London market. 

Same time ago a description appeared in the Field, of 
London, of a duck farm near to Dunstable, in Bedfordshire, 
which has been found a profitable investment by its owners. 
A large house was built about a couple of years ago to 
keep and fatten the young birds in ; and the object of 
the owners is to get the ducklings ready for market as 
rapidly as possible, for which purpose they are fed on boiled 
rice ; to this meat is added for the older ones, during the 
two or three weeks previous to their being killed, and 
some hundreds are sent to market every week in the season. 
Since the above description appeared, a lady, who writes 
under the name of " Hen wife," has given, in the hive Stock 
Journal, the results of her own work in this direction. She 
says : — " Ini the spring of 1881 I obtained from my own 
stock of Aylesburys, and from purchases of eggs, upwards of 
500 ducklings. Of these I lost from rats, heavy rains, and 
an incursion of cattle, about thirty-five. The twenty birds 
which I set aside as breeding stock were hatched in March 
and April. Having set eggs in December, 1880, I had 
ducklings fit for the table in Februrary, which I sold at' 16s. 
to 18s. per couple. I had a constant supply of Ducklings 
until August, 1881. On November 10th my reserve breed- 
ing stock began to lay, being then about seven months old, 



Duck Keeping. 135 

and from these eggs Cue ducklings were hatched on the 20th. 

December I never keep ducks over eighteen 

months old, as I find they eat idle food from the end of 
August to March, which is better bestowed on their young 
ones, at that time laying. I except from this rule any 
particularly large bird, or one remarkable for its laying 
qualities." 

One great advantage in keeping ducks is, that they are 
hardy and easy to rear, in proof of which we may quote 
what was told us some time ago, by one of the largest breeders 
in the kingdom, namely, that he very seldom finds any eggs 
infertile, that the proportion of eggs failing to hatch is very 
small, and that the moibility amongthe ducklings is almost 
nil — so that the duck breeder has every chance of success. 
So far as the fattening is concerned, we have fed ducklings 
up to 81b. and 101b. the- couple, in eight weeks, at a cost 
of about 30 cents to 40 cents each ; and as the price to be 
got even at an ordinary time would be not less than 18 
cents, and probably 25 cents a pound, whilst earlier in the 
year it would be much greater, there is plenty of margin for 
profit. Besides, ducks are most prolific layers, and there is 
always a good demand from cooks and confectioners for their 
eggs. Ducks are undoubtedly large eaters, but as the old 
birds kept need not be very numerous, this does not affect 
the matter ; and there are thousands of cottagers and others, 
living near small streams, who might add veiy considerably 
to their incomes by keeping ducks, and without any great 
outlay in the first instance, or much time and money after- 
wards. But the place must be suitable if profit is to be 
made. We do not for a moment wish to say that ducks 
cannot be reared without water. In fact, in our early poul- 
try days we hatched and reared every year sufficient ducks 
to supply our table for months, on a very small plot of ground ; 
but we never attempted to keep adult birds, buying the eggs 



J 



6 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



for hatching, and rearing the claddings, which had only a 
pool of water about six feet in diameter to disport them- 
selves in. Had we attempted to keep layers we should 
doubtless have failed, for it is an undisputed fact that ducks 
which are to be used as breeders, must have a fair amount 
of water, enough to swim about in. And if this cannot be 
given, the plan we have adopted should be followed, or no 
ducks kept at all. Otherwise, failure will be the inevitable 
result. 

So far as the housing of ducks is concerned, they require 
a comfortable house in the winter or late autumn. One 
low in the roof is the best, as they always lie upon the floor, 
which should be made in the same way as that already 
described for ordinary poultry houses. If the roof is three 
feet above the ground, that will be sufficient, but it must 
be properly ventilated, and dry both above and below. 
Clean straw should be kept on the floor, and bricks and 
straw used for nests, but no shed is needed if the house is 
of reasonable size, as the birds rather enjoy rain than other- 
wise. It is best to have an enclosure round the house, 
made of low wcod railings, in which the birds can be kept 
until about ten o'clock in the morning, for if allowed out 
before that time they will lay in any out of the way place, 
where the nests will not be very easy to discover. Where 
plenty of water is at hand for breeding ducks, then one drake 
will be sufficient for five or six ducks, and, as they are peace- 
able in their nature, all ihe stock may be kept together, except 
there is an cbject in separating them, such as when there are 
different breeds, or there is a desire to keep families separate. 

There are many varieties of ducks, some of which are 
purely fancy ones, whilst others are chiefly noted for their 
economic qualities ; but it is generally admitted by natu- 
ralists, that the various breeds of domesticated ducks have all 
descended from the wild duck, or Mallard, as it is called, 



The Aylesbury Duck. 137 

which is to be found over all the continent of Europe, in most 
parts of North America, and has also been seen in portions 
of Northern Africa and Western Asia, though it is most 
numerous on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is 
not much unlike the Rouen in its plumage, though more 
upright in shape ; and, as is generally the case with wild 
birds, it is much more active in its habits. It is found chiefly 
in marshes and fens, and, in parts of the West and South 
especially, it is shot in very large numbers, but there are 
many other parts of the country where it is also to be met 
with. In a wild state ducks are monogamous, and thus the 
domesticated ones have been corrupted by civilization. Wild 
ducks are often tamed, which is done by obtaining the eggs 
and hatching them under hens, when the progeny do not 
appear to seek for or desire liberty. In two or three genera- 
tions they begin to vary in colour ; and, doubtless, if the 
experiment were continued long enough, the breeds we now 
have could all be produced again in this way. It is a strange 
fact, that it takes several generations to teach tamed birds the 
polygamous customs of domesticated duckdom, as they at 
first go in pairs, like their wild progenitors, but afterwards 
the descendants lose this trait of their nature. 

The Aylesbury. — Of the many varieties of domestic ducks, 
probably the Aylesbury is the best known, and it is found, 
more or less, all over the country. This variety, as might 
be supposed, takes its name from the little thrifty English 
town, in the neigbourhood of which it is kept in such large 
numbers. It is perfectly white in its plumage, the slightest 
discoloured feather denoting impurity of breed, and being 
regarded as a disqualification for the show pen. The bills 
of birds of this variety are of a pale pink colour, and the 
nearer they are to the delicate tinge of a lady's finger nail, 
the better are they looked upon, whilst their legs are a bright 
orange. They are certainly the most easily acclimatised of 



138 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

all the duck varieties, often thriving in very unsuitable 
places ; and they are hardy, mature rapidly, and grow to a 
great size. The only difference between drakes and ducks 
is, that the former are rather larger than the latter, and have 
a curled feather in the tail, by which the sex is very easily 
distinguished. The average weight of these birds, when 
twelve months old, is 71b. for the drake, and 61b. for the duck ; 
but, of course, by special feeding, such as is adopted for 
exhibition birds, and those for table purposes, these weights 
can be exceeded to a considerable extent; and the winning 
birds at the Birmingham show of 1882, were upwards of 
201b. the pair. Ducklings generally w T eigh, if properly fed, 
about 41b. when seven or eight weeks old, which is the usual 
age for killing : for when they get older their adult feathers 
begin to form, and they are neither so plump, nor yet so 
presentable on the table. The nearest in appearance are 
Pekins, but it is not very difficult to distinguish Aylesburys 
from them, as the pure-bred Aylesburys are perfectly white, of 
a boat shape, with short legs and a long fine neck ; and any 
deviation from these points denotes impurity. We often see 
so-called Aylesburys with a partially erect body, yellowish 
bills, or canary-coloured plumage, all, or any of which, show 
that Pekin blood has been introduced, too many of our birds 
being thus crossed now-a-days. We do not object to this 
cross, and it is doubtless at times very advantageous, but we 
prefer to do it ourselves, and not have others sell us as pure- 
bred stock birds that have been so adulterated. 

The Eouen. — This may be regarded as the handsomest 
of all the larger varieties of the duck tribes, and, as we have 
already stated, is like the wild duck in its plumage. But 
domestication has resulted in its losing the more graceful 
shape of the latter, for it is decidedly thicker and heavier in 
build, but has the decided advantage of being more easily 
fattened. The drake has a clear yellow bill, with a slight 



The Pekin. 139 

greenish tinge, and in shape, long and broad. The head is 
rich green, glossed with purple, which extends down the 
neck, where there is a ring of pure white. The breast is a rich 
deep claret brown, and the under parts are a delicate French 
grey. The back is a rich greenish black, and the curls in the 
drake's tail are dark green. The wings are greyish brown, 
and have a ribbon mark across them, this being of a bright 
and distinct blue, with a white edge on each side. The flights 
are grey and brown, and the legs orange. The duck has a 
brown head, with two distinct shaded lines on each side. 
The breast is brown, pencilled over with a darker shade of 
the same colour, and the wing has a ribbon mark like that 
of the drake. The weight of these birds is about six t<* 
eight pounds, and the heaviest pair at Birmingham show 
in 1882, was over twenty-one pounds, but once this has been 
exceeded by nearly two pounds. The Rouens grow to a 
greater size than the Aylesbury, but take a considerably 
longer time about it, and on this account are not so profit- 
able for market purposes. We therefore regard the Ayles- 
bury as being the better of the two, for a Rouen duckling at 
eight weeks is no larger than an Aylesbury at six weeks. 
They are, however, equally as hardy and as prolific, though 
their eggs are not quite so large ; are as easily reared, and 
have one decided advantage, namely, that as their plumage 
is dark, they do not show dirt So soon, and consequently 
suit places where the white-feathered birds would always 
look filthy. 

The Pekin. — The Pekin is a recent introduction, and, as 
the name implies, is a native of the Celestial Empire. It 
was first heard of in 1873, when specimens were imported 
into the United States, and they were hailed with great 
eagerness. Soon afterwards a few were imported into Eng- 
land, and, from their large size, splendid laying powers, 
great hardiness, and striking appearance, soon won favour, 



140 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

becoming very popular indeed; but they have not main- 
tained their position, for they are larger in frame than in 
flesh, and have an abundant plumage, which gives them the 
appearance of greater bulk than they actually possess. They 
do not mature so rapidly as the Aylesbury, and their flesh is 
not of the same rich and delicate flavour as is that of the 
Aylesbury, Eouen, or Cayuga. On the other hand, they are 
heavy layers of large well-flavoured eggs ; the eggs are, as a, 
rule, very fertile indeed, and the ducklings easy to rear, for 
which reasons they have been largely crossed with the Ayles- 
bury, in order to counteract the evils of in-breeding in some 
strains of the latter variety. Many of the winning show 
Aylesburys are so crossed, the canary tinge in the plumage, 
yellowish bills, and the peculiar carriage being the best 
signs of this cross. The Pekin differs from all other ducks 
in the shape and carriage of its body, which is of a peculiar 
boat shape. The legs are set well back, and the bird walks 
rather upright or penguin fashion. The head is large, and 
the neck long ; the legs and bill are of a rich yellow, and 
the plumage generally has a peculiar cream colour running 
through, it, sometimes scarcely noticeable, but often so 
decided that it is really a canary colour. It is very graceful 
on the water, and for crossing with the Aylesbury is a very 
valuable variety. The progeny are easily fattened, and have 
good flesh, two most important matters to those who wish 
to obtain a rapid return. 

The Cayuga. — This is a variety which deserves to be 
much more kept than it now is, for it is a most useful fowl, 
of capital size, and extraordinarily good as a layer. Cayugas 
are very hardy, mature rapidly, fatten well, and their flesh 
is of high flavour — said to be even better than that of the 
wild cluck. The drakes weigh about nine pounds, and the 
clucks about a pound less, when matured ; and they have a 
very good characteristic, namely, that they do not wander 



The Muscovy. 141 

away from home, but can be left at liberty without fear of 
their straying away. They are very similar in colour to the 
East Indian ducks, being of a brilliant black throughout, with 
lustrous green reflections on the head, neck, and wings ; 
both males and females have a bright purple or claret brown 
tinge on the back and wings, but the secondaries are more 
blue than green ; the drake also is more strongly tinted 
with green than the. duck. The drake's bill is greenish 
yellow, but not so yellow as the Rouens, and it has a clear 
black bean at the tip. The bill of the duck is black at the 
base, and tipped with a greenish slate colour ; and the colour 
of the bill, like that of the Rouen, changes at different 
seasons of the year. The shape of the bill differs from that 
of any of the other breeds already named, as it does not 
come straight from the skull, but curves down to the centre 
and up towards the tip, in dish shape. The legs are of a 
smoky orange colour, and, from the colour of its plumage, 
the Cayuga is very suitable for any place, whilst its 
economic qualities make it one of the most valuable of all 
water fowls. 

The Muscovy. — This duck was brought from South 
America, and hence it is sometimes called the " Peruvian " 
duck, but the name usually given to it refers to its musky 
odor. The drake is much larger than the duck, which is a 
good layer, hardy, easily reared, and rich in flesh. Being 
most pugnacious and tyrannical, the muscovy duck cannot be 
recommended for farmyard purposes. No other fowl can 
exist with comfort, and it is best either to have no other 
birds about the place, or to confine them to a run of their 
own, which is not always a convenient matter. Of this 
variety there are the black, blue, mottled, and white ; the 
feathers are very profuse and long, and in the dark drake the 
colour is exceedingly lustrous. The head is noticeable for a 
fleshy bunch at the base of the bill, and there is also a red 



142 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

fleshy arc round the eye, the face being of the same substance, 
and bare. The drake is furnished much more profusely 
than the duck, and the sex is much more easily distinguished 
than in any other breed, notwithstanding the entire absence 
of the usual curl in the tail, as the male bird is generally 
three or four pounds heavier than the female. These birds 
are by no means pleasing in appearance, and are not to be 
recommended for the reasons already given, though they 
make an exceedingly valuable, but infertile, cross with any 
of the large breeds, the muscovy drakes being used. 

In addition to the five chief varieties of ducks which we 
have mentioned there are several others, but these are 
chiefly fancy ones, and consequently scarcely fall within our 
province. We may, however, be permitted to say, that for 
such as have a piece of ornamental water, there is nothing 
prettier, or will add to its beauty more, than a few of the 
rich-coloured Mandarins or Carolinos. The small black East 
Indian breed is also very good for this purpose, but it is 
difficult to get hardy or strong birds, for in-breeding has been 
so much resorted to, in order to obtain diminutive size, that 
the breed has really been ruined. Where the place is clean 
and free from smoke and dirt, the White Call, or decoy ducks, 
are very nice, and this variety has one decided advantage, 
namely, that it is tame and domesticated, not given to fly or 
wander away, like some of the other birds. In addition to 
these there are many other varieties, such as Spotted Bills, 
Whistlers, Pintails, and Kasarkas, so that those who desire 
ornamental waterfowl, need have no difficulty whatever. 
In the keeping of ducks, it is necessary to have a clear 
idea as to the object for which they are to be kept. As wo 
have previously pointed out, a reasonable amount of spaco 
and sufficient water for the breeding birds must be provided, 
and it is of no use attempting to keep and breed from ducks 
cooped up in a very small run. In that case it is better to 



Management of Ducks. 143 

buy eggs and hatch them, or buy the ducklings, when very 
young, and rear them. Bat, granting that the place is 
suitable, then in rearing the birds, those intended for early 
killing require to be treated in a different fashion, to those 
that are to be kept for future breeding purposes, or to be sold. 
If birds destined for the table are fed upon foods that develop 
bone, or that which is offal in the birds when they are killed, 
then there is a direct waste, for these things cannot be eaten, 
and prevent the laying on of that flesh, which is, or should be, 
the aim and object of fattening. But, on the other hand, to 
feed birds that have to be reared to maturity, on flesh-forming 
foods alone, would be equally as foolish, for, in that case, there 
would not be sufficient bone to support the flesh, and, though 
the bird might apparently thrive for a time, it would begin to 
fail before long, and probably die. It must be clearly under- 
stood, that an undue forcing of any part of the nature of the bird, 
cannot but be at the expense of some other part ; consequently, 
if too much prolonged, the balance of the system is upset, 
and the bird dies. This is the reason why birds, when fattened, 
begin to go back and lose flesh, if the process is extended 
too much, and the fact that feeding continuously on food of 
a fattening nature induces disease, would appear to show 
that the statement of those scientific men, who say that all 
fat is a disease, has something to support it, although it may 
be that it is the excess of fat, and not the moderate quantity 
of it, that really causes disease. 

When keeping ducks for breeding purposes it is best to 
give them a running stream, if it be convenient to do so, for 
this is much better than a pond, but one or the other is 
indispensable. Two ducks should be given to one drake, or, 
if the birds are young ones and of a vigorous breed, five ducks 
may be given to two drakes. Drakes are not to be relied 
upon for breeding purposes when more than two years old, 
and it is better, therefore, not to keep them after that age, 



144 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

but to fatten and kill them off. Ducks are capital layers, as 
a rule, and the eggs, when the drake is not older than we 
have just mentioned, very fertile. In hatching, large Cochin 
or Brahma hens should he used, as these can cover eleven, or 
sometimes thirteen eggs, very easily ; hut, it is necessary to 
remember, when hens are used, that a duck in sitting a nest 
will, on going off to feed, have a swim before she returns, 
and, as her feathers will be wet in consequence, the eggs 
get the benefit of it. Eggs under hens, therefore, must be 
kept moist, or they will not hatch, for, when this is not done, 
the inner skin gets hard and tough, so that the little inmate 
cannot make its way out. The nest should be in a moist 
place, but if this cannot be arranged, then the earth below it 
must be kept damp, much more damp than is required for 
fowls. We have always found it very advantageous to 
sprinkle the eggs with a little warm water when the hen is 
off feeding, so that the shells get moist all over. Ducks' 
eggs can easily be hatched in incubators, and we have been 
very successful in this way ; but one thing must be borne in 
mind, that ducks' and hens' eggs are not to be put into one 
machine, as each kind requires different treatment. Hens' 
eggs only need a reasonable amount of moisture, and should 
never be sprinkled, whereas, for ducks' eggs, the moisture 
trays are by no means sufficient, and they should be sprinkled 
daily, so that the air in the machine will be more heavily 
charged with moisture than is good for ordinary eggs. Not 
only so, but duck eggs hatch all the better if given con- 
siderably more air, and a longer time for cooling, than is 
good for hens' eggs, and for these reasons, it will be seen 
that separate machines are required for the two kinds of eggs. 
The period of incubation for ducks is twenty-eight days, 
but, when the eggs are very fresh, they very often hatch a day 
or two earlier. If the sprinkling of the eggs is attended to, 
there is seldom any loss during the process of hatching; but, 



Feeding Ducklings, 145 

in order that all may come out together, or within a short 
time of each other, it is best to select eggs as nearly equal 
in age as possible. Duck eggs should be tested in the way 
we shall describe for hens' eggs ; but it is best to make 
the first examination on the ninth or tenth day, and the 
water test on the twenty-fifth day. Of course, a daily look 
at the eggs is advisable; and if any get broken, all must be 
washed, and the nest re-made. As a rule, we do not approve 
of the plan of removing any of the little things from under 
the hen, should the hatching be irregular ; but if any are 
greatly delayed in hatching, then those ducklings that are 
dry, may be taken away, and put in a flannel covered basket, 
near the fire. They need, however, to have something 
against which they can put their backs, and thus a good 
cushion may be put over the flannel, of course, seeing that 
there is enough ventilation through the sides of the basket, 
or the ducklings may all be smothered. The morning after 
the hatching is completed, the hen and her brood should 
be removed to a coop, placed under a shed ; and, as they 
do not require any food for the first twenty-four hours 
after being hatched, they will now be ready for their first 
meal, which should consist of hard-boiled eggs, chopped fine, 
and mixed with boiled rice. This food may be continued for 
two or three days, when Spratt's or Chamberlain's foods, or 
boiled rice, or barley meal, the two latter mixed with greaves, 
should be given, if the birds are intended to be killed at an 
early age ; but if not, the greaves should be dispensed with, 
and the boiled rice reduced in quantity, to made only an 
occasional food. The greaves consist almost entirely of fat, 
whilst the rice contains only a trace of bone-forming sub- 
stances in it, so that both these foods arc admirable for the 
purpose of forcing birds for the table ; but, they are not at 
all calculated to build up the frames of those birds intended 
to be reared to an adult age. In the latter it is necessary 

L 



146 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

to have slower growth, less development of fat or flcsli, and 
more stamina ; in the former all that is required, is to get 
as much flesh as possible, in as short a time as possible, 
with little bone, or other offal. Thus, when they are to he 
reared, ducks should have no forcing food, and plain barley 
meal or ground oats, made into a crumbly mass, will be the 
best food. It may be well to give boiled rice as a variation, 
for there can be no doubt that variety is appreciated by the 
birds ; but, if it is given, it should have a good handful of 
bone meal, to every quart-measureful of the rice, which will 
make up for the deficiency in bone-forming qualities. 

As very many persons do not know the best way to prepare 
boiled rice, we will give our method, for this food is a iirst- 
cbtss one for fattening any kind of fowl. The kind known 
as poultry rice can be bought from nearly all corn dealers at 
a reasonable price, and it is good enough for the purpose, if 
the sample is a clean one. The way to prepare it is to 
put, say, a pint of rice into a gallon pan, with three quarts 
of winter, a small handful of the chopped greaves, and a tea- 
spoonful of aromatic compound. This we place upon the 
side of the fireplace, and allow it to simmer for two or three 
hours. In that time tho rice will have swollen out and 
absorbed all the water, so that it will be crumbly moist, liko 
a well-made rice pudding. If this is given to the birds when 
warm, though not actually hot, the eagerness with which 
they will eat it will be sufficient proof of how much they 
relish it. Those who follow our directions should remember, 
that it must not be allowed to boil in the usual way, or it will 
be soft aud sloppy, but it should be allowed to gently simmer 
in the manner as described by us, and then it will be all 
that can be desired in the way of an appetising and useful 
food. 



Geese and Turkeys, O47 



OHAPTEK XTTI. 

OBESE AND TURKEYS. 

G in England Benefit to Crope— Breedi Weight! attained— Management^ 
Turkey*— Said to b<; delicate Breedi Management Fattening, 

Wi. bare now nearly got to the end of our list of com- 
mercial poultry, ami come to the two groat — i.e., BO far as 
bulk is concerned — varieties. OF these geese are the hardier, 

and much easier to rear, so that in many places they are 
much preferred to turkeys, if fat, bringing always a good 
price in the market. They pay very well indeed for keep- 
ing, and the farmer will, as a rule, find it worth his while 
to have a few of them in the autumn, when his grain crops 
are off the laud. In the eastern-middle counties of England 
very large numbers are kept, and a ride through that portion 
of the country would be quite a revelation to those who had 
not been there before. On the fields and the commons, flocks 
of geese and turkeys are to be seen, and the place where they 
are not to be found is the exception, not the rule. They are 
a considerable source of profit, and, consequently, are not 
neglected; and the vast numbers which are sent to London 
every year is astonishing to those who are not conversant 
with the facts of the case. In these counties the majority of 
farmers breed their own birds, but there are many who buy 
goslings in the early autumn, and simply fatten them for 
the market. In this country the sale of young goslings is 
rare, as those who fatten hatch their own stock, and no 
one part of the country is especially famous for its geese. 



148 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

By putting on goslings in the way we have described, the 
land is made profitable after the crops are gathered, and 
they do it an immense amount of good. The birds pur- 
chased are generally bred by those who live near commons 
or waste land, and there is no need why this should not be 
done in every district. If it were done, the benefit derived 
would be great, and probably the farmers near small towns 
who need it most, would reap the benefit, and would also 
supply a demand which has generally to be met from a dis- 
tance. 

Of the various breeds of geese the Toulouse and the Emb- 
den are the chief, and, as a rule, for commercial purposes, it 
will be found better to select one of these. The Toulouse 
is commonly known as the grey goose, because its plumage 
is of that colour; and the Embclen is called the white goose, 
its plumage being pure white throughout. The latter is said 
to be the earliest and best layer, which is a very great recom- 
mendation, and its feathers always bring a higher price, than 
do those of the coloured variety. In some places, however, 
pure white birds would not look at all well, because of the 
presence of smoke ; but, these are considerations which must 
be left to be decided individually, according to circumstances. 
Both these varieties are about equal in point of size and 
quality of flesh. At the Birmingham Show of 1882 the 
weight of the winning pair of grey geese was 451b. 4oz., and 
of the whites 4jlb. 12oz.; but generally at that exhibition 
the Toulouse are heaviest. Of course these weights are 
abnormal, and only obtained by a very careful and continued 
system, which our readers will do well not to follow, but 
be content if they get birds from 121b. to 181b. weight, 
for the Christmas market. In addition to the varieties 
named, there are the Sebastopol, the Chinese, the Canadian, 
and the Egyptian, but we do not think that they will be found 
bo profitable as the Toulouse and the Embden. 



Management of Geese, 149 

A, capital description of the method of management ap- 
peared some years ago in the Farmer, and was deemed worthy 
of being reprinted in Mr. Tegetmeier's Poultry Book. This 
we now give for its practical value : — " A good-sized pond, 
with a plentiful supply of water and good pasturage, are in- 
dispensable to make goose-keeping a paying business, for 
they are very large consumers. Let them have an outhouse 
all to themselves, regularly supplied with clean straw, with 
which to make nests on the floor as the laying season ap- 
proaches, and partition the nests off according to the number 
required. One gander will be sufficient for three or four 
geese. They generally lay about twelve eggs each, which 
number they will hatch. The eggs, for safety, should be 
collected daily and placed in bran, until the geese, by re- 
maining on their nests, show their desire for sitting. The 
eggs must then be placed under them, and the house so 
arranged that they can have free liberty of egress and ingress 
at all times of the day, as they will require food and water 
daily, to which they will help themselves, if a pasture-field 
and pond of water be near, and afterwards return to their 
nests. Little attention is, therefore, required whilst they are 
sitting, beyond keeping their nests undisturbed, and protected 
from vermin. When the time of hatching has arrived, in 
case any young birds are out, see that all shells are removed, 
for fear they may cap the other eggs, and thereby prevent 
their hatching. Allow the goslings to remain in the nest for 
a night and a day; they will not require feeding during that 
time, but will gather strength ; and, if the following 
morning be fine and sunshiny, they can be moved at once 
upon a grass-plot or other convenient place, where they will 
be safe, and supplied with an abundance of nice young grass, 
of which they will soon partake (this, their natural food, suits 
them better than to be crammed with oatmeal pellets), not 
forgetting to place them some water in a shallow vessel, with 



150 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

which a little oatmeal may he mixed. If the weather is un- 
favourable, they must he confined in an outhouse, and plen- 
tifully supplied with nice green grass turfs and water. . . . 
The most critical time for young geese is ahout midsummer; 
if it is very dry weather, and the pasturage and water is not 
plentiful, it is then desirable to give them a few oats night 
and morning to assist nature over this peculiar juncture, 
and help them on until the stubbles are ready for them, 
and when those are cleared they will be in nice condition for 
fattening, which is best done by making them up in lots of 
ten or fifteen in number, according to the size of the place, 
supplying them with plenty of water and an unlimited 
quantity of oats for three weeks, giving them a clean bed of 
straw when required ; they will then be ready for the market. 
The day previous to killing, turn them on to the pond for the 
purpose of washing their feathers, and supply a clean bed of 
straw in the feeding-house before their return ; but take 
away all food and water, and let them fast until killed the 
next day, when they must be dressed for the market. There 
is not the slightest doubt geese pay well where there are 
conveniences for keeping them, but they must be well man- 
aged, and kept out of the mowing grass and cornfields, or 
they will soon do damage to the amount of double their 
profit." 

The same plan, as is here described for fattening, may be 
adopted equally by those who only rear the birds, as by those 
who breed them also ; goslings can be bought about August 
and September at low prices, and will fatten up very rapidly, 
if fed in the way described. There is only one thing we 
need add to what has been already said, and that is, geese 
must never be put in compartments alone when fattening, as 
is done with ordinary fowls, for in that case they would fret 
and lose flesh, instead of gain it. 

Turkeys have the name of being very delicate and difficult 



Turkey Rearing, 15T. 

to rear, in consequence of which they are often not kept, 
where they might he with advantage, for, in a suitable place, 
they are one of the most profitable of all domestic poultry. 
They are undoubtedly delicate if kept on damp soil, but 
where the ground is dry, and the position not too exposed, 
they will do well. Just at one period of their growth, when 
they are "shooting the red," that is, when about six weeks 
old, and the red skin is appearing on the head, they need 
extra care and to be well sheltered, for getting wet just then 
is almost certain to be fatal. The prices obtained for turkeys, 
and the heavy weights to which they grow, make them very 
profitable indeed, and wherever it can well be done, we 
should strongly urge that a few of them be kept. 

The varieties of turkeys known in this country are the 
Wild, Bronze, Narragansett, Black, Buff, and White. Of these 
the Wild is the hardiest, firmest fleshed, and highest flavored,' 
even Avhen bred in domestication ; the Black approaches it 
most nearly but fattens more readily, while the Bronze, 
which closely resembles it in coloring, is the most rapid in 
growth, quickest to fatten, and heaviest of all. The Nar- 
ra^ansetf.s and Whites are the most domestic. Large size is a 
matter that must be considered, for the price turkeys realize 
in market increases with the weight, and the fact contrary 
to the rule in most things, that, the price per pound of a 
thirty-pound turkey is considerably greater than that of 
one half its size is especially true in early winter, but not at 
all times of the year. 

Turkeys are not fully grown until they are three or four 
years old, but it will be found that birds can be bred from, 
without fear, when two years of age. The young birds 
produce more eggs than the older ones, and begin to lay 
earlier in the season, and, also, are not so savage. A turkey 
hen generally lays about twenty eggs, but she should not be 
allowed to sit all these ; and it is better to give the first half- 
dozen to hens, letting her have the rest herself, for it is very 



152 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

cruel, and does not pay in the long run, to prevent her having 
a nest, in addition to which, she will prove a better mother 
than any hen could be. 

The period of incubation is twenty-eight days, and the 
first food for the young birds should be hard-boiled egg, 
with dandelion, lettuce, onions, or nettles chopped up, and 
all mixed with bread crumbs ; and to this may be added a 
little rice boiled in sweet skim milk, a little suet, or greaves, 
and in cold weather a little aromatic compound, with grain 
of all kinds for the birds, as they get older. We have also 
heard the very highest accounts of the value of Chamber- 
lain's meal in reariDg turkeys, even from those who had 
failed before they used it. A fresh site for the coop is neces- 
sary every morning, and a little exercise, by letting the 
mother out of the coop, which must be large and roomy, not 
less than three feet square, will do the chicks a lot of good. 
When the birds are about ten or twelve weeks old they may 
be put on to barleymeal as the staple food, mixed with a little 
greaves, and alternated with corn, barley, and small wheat. 
As soon as they are deserted by the mother, the birds should 
be put in a large roomy house at night ; and, it is then neces- 
sary, to see that they do not perch on rails or hurdles, as 
crooked breasts would be the certain result. 

Christmas turkeys are shut up in a light, dry, and roomy 
shed, or house, about the first week in November ; and the 
Norfolk system is to keep troughs filled with maize and 
good barley always near them, but giving twice a day a good 
meal of just as much barleymeal, mixed with skim milk, as 
they can then eat up, and also milk to drink. The troughs 
are cleaned every day, and all surplus food removed. Sliced 
mangolds, turnips, swedes, and cabbages are also given ; and 
plenty of sand, lime, and brick dust kept in one corner, so 
that the birds can get it when they wish. This is all the 
feeding they need, to bring them up into prime condition for 
the market. They are killed by having the neck broken. 



The Selection of Stock Birds. 153 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE SELECTION OF STOCK BIRDS. 

Importance of Care in Selection — Influence of Parents — Selection for Layers — 
Selection for Table Fowls— State of Breed ingSto^k — Buying Birds — Buying 
Eggs for Sitting - Space for Breeding Stock — Birds not to be Related— Evils 
of In-breeding — Number of Hens to Cock — When to Expect Fertile Eggs — 
Feeding — Importance of Health and Condition. 

The choosing of birds or animals for breeding is one of the 
most important matters, that can command the attention of 
any keeper of live stock, for, in accordance with the care and 
skill given to it, will be the quality of the produce. Parents 
impress upon their progeny those characteristics which they 
themselves possess, in so far as there are no counteracting 
influences. If these characteristics are good ones, they should 
be preserved by judicious mating, but if they are bad ones, 
then, it must be the object of the breeder, to get rid of them 
as quickly as possible. And in order to secure this it is 
necessary to have a clear idea of the influence of each parent, 
for the influence on either side is different to that on the 
other. Without this knowledge, there can be no possibility 
of arriving at a true appreciation of the question. 

We have said that the influence of each parent is different, 
and, to this we may add, that, as a rule, the characteristics of 
both can be traced in the offspring. Sometimes, however, 
qualities are developed which were not found in the parents, 
nor yet can be regarded as a combination of qualities from 



154 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

either side. As these are generally characteristics to be 
avoided, it will most probably be found on examination, thai 
they have descended from the grandparents, or from progeni- 
tors even further back than that. Hence the value of pure 
stock, as there is with it a much greater certainty in breeding. 

It may be taken as a certain rule that the male parent 
affects the external structure, the shape, and the outward 
appearance generally, including the locomotive peculiarities ; 
and that the female parent controls the internal structure, 
the constitution, the temper, and the habits. But, we must 
in this be regarded as speaking of pure-bred birds, for with 
such as have been bred in any sort of way, in which all or 
no breeds have been mixed up, it is almost impossible to 
look for any certainty, as there are constantly unexpected 
and unwished-for developments turning up. The purer the 
breed, the greater the certainty of obtaining those points or 
qualities we are seeking for, and it must also be noted, that, 
if one of the parents is of a purer descent than the other, 
it will exert the greater influence upon the chickens. 
This will account for the rapidity with which a pure-bred 
cock improves the birds bred in a farmyard, when one is 
introduced, which doubtless many of our readers have 
observed. 

Considering these facts, it may be worth our while to 
study the question of the influence of parents, a little more 
closely than is usually done, and, taking the male parent 
first, it will be found, as already indicated, that it affects the 
external structure as well as the shape of the bird. Thus, 
in selecting cocks for breeding purposes,. it is necessary to 
see that they have size, which, of course, means bone and 
flesh, not merely feathers, and that they are of a right 
shape. If a bird is short in either of these qualities, as 
certain as can be such defect will be transmitted to its 
descendants. Thus it will be seen how foolish it is to choose 



Selection of Stock Birds. 155 

a bird small or of a bad shape, no matter how good he may 
be in other respects. It can serve no useful purpose to have 
a bird unshapely, even though this does not influence its 
profitable qualities ; but, whilst we should not kill a good 
laying hen if she was mis-shapen, yet we would not breed 
from such an one, as the weakness inherent from the 
deformity would probably transmit itself to the chickens, 
and thus more than counterbalance the merits of the parent. 
As a rule, those birds are best which look best. And again, 
it would be unwise to use for stock purposes, any bird weak, 
or deformed in his organs of locomotion, for, though he 
might be as good upon the table as another one, perfect in 
these respects, his defects would be reproduced in his 
progeny, and probably intensified. As an example of this, 
we may mention that the breeding for white faces in Spanish 
— though the white face is not a defect but a sport — having 
been carried to a ridiculous extent, has so weakened the 
breed that it is now a delicate variety, not to be recommended 
for general purposes. In selecting a cock bird, therefore, 
for breeding, and this equally applies to all varieties, whether 
pure or otherwise, one should be chosen, close and firm in 
body, not too large in size — that is, not abnormally larger 
than the majority of his kindred, though a little larger is an 
advantage — clean on leg, tall, and active in his habits. Such 
a bird will not counteract, but, rather assist those qualities 
which, in a hen, conduce to the breeding of good layers. But, 
if a bird is wanted for breeding table fowls, one must be 
chosen heavy in body, deep in breast, short on the leg, and, 
perhaps, not so active, though by this we do not necessarily 
mean a non-flying bird, as these generally develop flesh on 
the thighs, and not on the breast. The former may be heavier 
in weight, but the meat is not carried in the best place, and 
is not of the same quality. A bird similar to what we have 
described, will help forward the end we have in view, and 



156 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

assimilate his qualities readily with those of the hens to 
which he may he mated, if they are chosen with equal care. 

It will be remembered, we stated that the hen affects the 
internal structure and vital organs of her chickens, in which 
are included the laying qualities, as well as the temperament 
and the constitution. A good, quiet mother, generally pro- 
duces pullets that exhibit the same qualities in their turn, 
if she is properly mated, and, on the other hand, a restless, 
uncertain mother, will impress these characteristics upon her 
chickens. A poor layer, must not be expected to produce 
hens much better than herself, no matter with what bird she 
is paired, and though there is wisdom in the belief of old 
henwives, that it is always well to breed from hens that are 
known to be good layers, it is necessary to see that the cock 
does not counteract this influence. By judicious selection 
of the male bird, it may be possible to gradually improve 
the laying powers, as it is possible to alter the characteristics 
of any birds ; but, of course, this can only be a slow process, 
and it is better to commence breeding with suitable birds, 
and to depend upon the hens for such an improvement, 
instead of on the cocks. As shown when speaking of the 
male birds, the purer the parents are, the more certainty 
there is in breeding, and this is the case equally with both 
sexes, though, as the cocks influence the externals, the result 
is more seen on their part, than on that of the hens. 

When breeding with the object of producing good laying 
fowls, the hens selected should be shapely, have no grave 
defects, and, above all, be known as good layers, or from a 
good laying strain. To be sure of this latter point may 
involve some trouble ; but it need not be very great, as any 
one who attends to the fowls, and really takes an interest in 
them, knows which are the best layers. By this means, it 
is quite possible to very largely increase the laying powers of 
any strain of birds ; and, the care thus taken, will be rewarded 



Selection of Brood Hens, 157 

by a great difference in the production of eggs. Of course, 
if the male birds are bred from hens that are known to bo 
good layers, then this will greatly facilitate the matter. 
Therefore, where it is thought desirable to have laying birds 
only, or, in places where eggs are most in demand, it is better 
to have non-sitting fowls, such as Minorcas, Leghorns, 
Andalusians, or Houdans, as these birds have been bred as 
layers for generations; and, their attention not being taken 
off by maternal duties, they consequently are much better 
layers. On the question of selecting hens for breeding table 
fowls, very little more need be said, than what we have already 
remarked in connection with the male birds, except that it 
is important to choose quiet, contented fowls, as these will be 
found to fatten up best of all ; restless birds never do this, 
and as a consequence are not profitable. The breeds to be 
chosen should be either La Fleche, Dorkings, Creve-cceurs, 
Houdans, Langshans, Plymouth Rocks, or such crosses as 
Game-Dorking. These must be selected in accordance 
with the rules laid down in the chapter on laying out the 
poultry-yard, where we spoke of the soil and position of the 
poultry-yard, and the influence these must have upon the 
breeds kept. 

Closely associated with the question of breed to be chosen, 
is that of the general condition, and state of the birds selected 
for breeding. Here we must emphatically warn our readers 
against what we have indirectly mentioned before, namely, 
that no bird tainted with disease, or organically deformed, 
must be bred from in any way. Such diseases and defects 
will be transmitted, probably in an intensified form, to the 
descendants, which in their turn will probably be the means 
of passing them on to others. There can be no question 
that the breeding in of defects, or the transmission of disease, 
are very easy matters, whilst the breeding of them out is 
not only difficult, but often impossible. Stamina, and 



158 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

good condition are two most important elements, which 
should never be lost sight of by the poultry breeder, as with- 
out these it is impossible to succeed ; and, whilst great care 
should be taken to see that the other qualities of the birds 
are suitable, nothing should ever induce the use of sickly 
ones for stock purposos. And, also, in deciding upon the 
selection of breeding fowls, there must be a clear understand- 
ing as to what is required — we mean, to what purpose the 
chickens are to be put, and then, keeping this end in view, 
let them be chosen accordingly. Hap-hazard breeding never 
did, and never will, succeed ; though, at times, a lucky hit is 
made, but there is no certainty as to its being repeated. A 
careful study of the birds to be so used will be well repaid ; 
and, if they have to be purchased, it will be time well spent 
to make inquiries as to the qualities of the birds. Poultry 
fanciers expend both time and money freely, in order to 
obtain all the information possible about a bird they pur- 
pose buying, knowing the great injury which may be done 
through want of a little care ; and the matter is equally as 
important to the poultry farmer. Because of the want of 
information, we do not advise buying in a poultry show, 
except it can be obtained, and many a yard has been ruined 
by diseased, or otherwise unsuitable birds, bought in this 
way. The best way is to go, or send, to known breeders, 
who have a reputation to keep up; and, though a little more 
money may have to be paid in the first instance, it will prob- 
ably be found the cheapest way in the end. In the spring of 
the year, a very common way of getting fresh blood into a 
yard, or, of commencing one afresh, is to purchase eggs, and 
if fairly dealt with, this is both a cheap and good means of 
doing so ; but, unfortunately, there is a good deal of roguery 
in the business. Where it is desired to get the yard into 
full operation, or to have the benefit of the new blood at 
once, this plan will not do, and birds must be bought instead. 



Management of Breeding Pens. 159 

We now come to the putting together of the breeding- 
pens, and the management of the birds in them. In the 
first place, there is the question of space to be given to them, 
and it is here necessary to utter a warning — though we have 
dwelt on the question of runs already — against the very 
common practice, of putting breeding stock into very small 
houses and runs. Nor do we, on the other hand, think the 
system of breeding from the ordinary stock a wise one, as this 
does not permit of the proper improvement of the stock, which 
might otherwise take place. The best plan, is either of those 
we have already recommended, namely, to have separate 
houses in which the birds can be kept, or a row of houses with 
large open runs. Weakly chickens are very often caused by 
want of sufficient exercise on the part of the parents ; and it 
will be found, that the more liberty that can be given to 
the breeding stock, the hardier the chickens will be. There- 
fore, it should be a rule, that, whether the laying fowls have 
an abundance of room or not, the breeders must have plenty ; 
and, upon no consideration, should the latter be cooped up in 
small runs. We have given in a previous article, the smallest 
amount of space necessary to keep birds in health and con- 
dition, and this will be a guide to our readers in this respect. 
A sufficient number of chickens can be bred from one pen 
of fowls, in a single year, to stock a good-sized yard, and thus 
it is worth while giving them sufficient room. 

Then it is a most important matter, that a cock and hen 
mated together for breeding purposes, should not be related 
to each other. A very large amount of harm has been done 
by in-breeding, and the degeneracy of many of the races of 
high class poultry, is entirely due to this practice. Poultry 
fanciers, whose object is to obtain fine feather, or peculiar con- 
formation, regardless of all commercial considerations, may, 
if they think lit, resort to in-breeding, for they are willing to 
pay the price ; but, those to whom it is necessary that their 



160 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

birds shall have stamina, size, and unimpaired laying powers, 
must not indulge in so foolish a practice. The state of the 
breeding stock, in very many of the farmyards of this country, 
where we find miserable, weedy mongrels, of no use either 
for laying or to put upon the table, is very largely due to 
the in-breeding which has gone on generation after genera- 
tion, and to the want of regard for the selection of breeding 
birds. Of course, it may be accepted as a fact, that all our 
various breeds of birds have been produced by more or less 
in-breeding ; but even acknowledging that much, it has been 
a gradual process, and not a forced one. Therefore, it is 
more than necessary, that the birds mated together should be 
unrelated. Only by care in putting them together, can this 
be secured ; but the result is worth all the trouble. 

The next subject which must be touched upon, is that of 
the number of hens to be put with each cock, as the fertility 
of the eggs will naturally greatly depend upon this. No 
certain rule can be laid down applicable to all breeds, as 
the number varies, not only with the breed itself, but with 
the circumstances under which they are kept. For in- 
stance, birds in a confined run are more indolent and less 
vigorous than those at liberty, whilst the state of the 
weather has much to do with the question also ; and, again, 
a young bird should have a larger harem than an old one. 
So far as a rule can be laid down, not more than four hens 
should be given to a cock of any of the larger and heavier 
breeds, i.e., Cochins, Brahmas, Dorkings, Langshans, and 
Scotch Greys, when in confinement ; but, if at liberty, then 
this number may be increased to six or eight. The lighter 
breeds can take six or eight in confinement, and a dozen when 
at liberty. These numbers will have to be varied according 
to the season of the year ; of course fewer being given in 
severe weather, and more added, as it gets warmer and finer. 
The best test is, that when too few hens are given, they will 



To secure Fertile Eggs, 161 

be found stripped nearly bare on the back, and when this 
is seen, then more should be supplied to the cock. This 
must be done even if hens of a different breed can only bo 
used, as too few hens is as great a cause of unfertile eggs, as 
too many, and the strain upon them is also very liable to 
cause them irreparable injury. As the bare backs can be 
seen by the most casual observer in a poultry yard, there can 
be no excuse for the neglect of it. 

As a rule, eggs may be depended upon as fertile within a 
week of the birds being mated together ; but, we make it a 
rule, never to use the first two or three eggs produced by each 
hen after she is so mated, especially, if she has been running 
about in the open yard, or been mated with other cocks. 
Those who breed birds for exhibition, are most careful not to 
allow any cock to have access to the hens, except the one 
mated with them, during the breeding season. The reason 
adduced for this is, that the effects of such a cross may be 
noticed in the chickens, even though a considerable time has 
elapsed, between the alliance and the laying of the eggs. 
Whether this is so or not, it is quite unnecessary for us to 
inquire here, as it does not sufficiently concern those who 
breed only for commercial purposes, but, of course, it is wise to 
prevent mixing up in this way unnecessarily. In any case, 
we should not advise the using of the first two or three eggs, 
as they arc almost certain to be either infertile, or to show 
signs of previous mating, neither of which is desirable. 

The feeding of breeding stock, is a point on which a mis- 
take is made by too many poultry keepers. Fowls will not 
lay if they are fed too well, and on this account, great care 
must be exercised in what is given to them, both as to quan- 
tity and quality. All fattening foods must be avoided, as 
these cause internal fat, which acts upon the egg organs, and 
prevents, instead of helping, the object in view. We believe 
in good food, that is, food oi a sound nature, and this will 

M 



1 62 Profit a die Poultry Keeping, 

be found most satisfactory in the end. Barley, wheat, buck- 
wheat, oats, and dari, both whole and ground, are all first- 
rate foods, and may be relied upon as best for the purpose. 
If the birds are in runs, where insect life cannot be got very 
freely, then a very little meat may be given to them, but not 
otherwise. And on wet or cold mornings, a little stimulating 
powder is very helpful, but upon no account should it be used 
when the weather is warm and dry. Green food is also very 
essential, and a barrow load of cabbages will be greatly re- 
lished, as well as be highly beneficial, even when the grass run 
is an extensive one. For a system of feeding we prefer the 
following : — First, a meal of soft food, mixed with boiling 
water, early in the morning, the sooner after the birds leave 
their roosts the better; second, a handful of grain in the 
middle of the day; and, last, a good feed of grain about an 
hour before they go to roost at night. 

A question is sometimes asked, How much food should 
be given to each fowl every day ? This it is impossible to 
answer, by stating any quantity, as the appetites of the birds 
vary with the season of the year, and with the different 
kinds of fowls, some being much greater eaters than others. 
The only safe rule is to either throw the food down in hand- 
fills, or put it in dishes or troughs, and to cease giving, or 
remove it, as soon as the birds cease to eat eagerly. There 
is just one exception to this rule, and it is one that needs to 
be very especially mentioned here, for there are some cocks 
of a very gallant nature, which will not touch any food, until 
all their hens have been served. They call their mates to it, 
and see that they get enough, but do not attempt to touch 
it themselves. Therefore, unless the attendant is very 
observant, the bird will get very little to eat — certainly not 
enough, and will go down in condition, infertile eggs being 
one of the results. Where this is observed, either a little 
more food must be given to the cock or he must be fed by 



To secure Hardy Chickens. 163 

himself. Either plan will answer the purpose so long as it 
is seen to. We need only just mention that material will 
be needed for the formation of the shells, and this may be 
old mortar, broken oyster shells, lime and gravel, the last 
being specially useful, in assisting the birds to digest their 
food, and should for that reason always be supplied. 

The chief object should be, to keep the breeding stock in 
the best of health and condition, as this is most conducive 
to the production of strong and ha: Jy chickens. It can 
only be secured by selecting good birds, in the way indicated 
by us, by giving the birds as much room as possible, by 
housing them well, and by feeding them in a systematic and 
sensible manner. Neglect any of these points, and tin 
result will show itself in the progeny, because in this, as in all 
other similar operations, effects follow causes remorselessly. 
We do not say that the effect is always immediate, or even 
apparent at once, but it is nevertheless there, and sooner or 
later will declare itself. 



M 



164 Profitable Poult l ry Keeping. 



CHAPTER XV. 



HATCHING. 



Shall Hens set themselves ? — Selection of Place for Sitting — Hatching Boxes'— 
Making the Nests— Food and Water — Setting the Hen — FeediDg — Airing 
the Eggs— Kind of Food for Hens — Dust Bath — Testing the Eggs— Period 
of Incubation — Management during Hatching — Helping the Chicks. 

The time when hens should be set, will depend very largely 
upon the purpose for which the chickens aro required, and 
the breeds of poultry kept. If eggs are the object in view, 
and any of the breeds we have named as most suitable in 
such a case as this are selected, then March and April are 
the best months ; but, if heavier breeds, such as Brahmas or 
Langshans are chosen, then no chickens should be hatched 
after the first week in April, or, at any rate, as few as possible* 
Birds intended for table purposes, whether chickens or duck- 
lings, may be hatched at any time, but it is best to do so 
as early as possible, even in autumn. Those hatched at 
other times, mature, and are placed on the market, when it is 
overstocked, and, consequently, they do not realise so paying 
a price. The rapidly maturing fowls may be hatched much 
later than those which are more deliberate in this respect, 
and these are the questions which must decide the time of 
hatching, for, with layers, the object is to have them laying 
before the winter sets in, and, with table birds, it is to get them 
to market when prices are at their highest point. Those 
who breed fowls for exhibition, generally get their birds out 



Hatching. 165 

as early in the year as possible, to have them matured 
before the autumn and winter shows, except in the case of 
Bantams, in which, small size being a desideratum, they 
are bred late, so as to prevent undue growth. Thus it will 
be seen, that there is a way provided for all denominations 
of poultry keepers. 

Among old-fashioned henwives there is a very general 
impression, that it is a much better plan to let a hen set 
herself, than to provide a nest for her. This is doubtless 
true to a certain extent, with some breeds, as they ara thus 
content, and, being under perfectly natural conditions, often 
produce larger broods than they otherwise might. But, where 
there is any attempt at careful breeding, it is almost impossible 
to adopt such a system, unless the amount of ground at 
disposal is very large indeed, and the birds are at perfect 
liberty. In addition to the need for space, there are other 
drawbacks to a plan of this kind. In the first place the 
owner is at the mercy of the birds — he must wait their con- 
venience, and it may be lose the best weeks of the year. 
Time is everything, and if none of his own hens are broody, 
he should seek for others that are, if he wishes to succeed. 
Then, in the second place, no other eggs than the ones laid 
by each hen herself can be used for hatching, which is, of 
course, simply out of the question ; and in the third place, if 
a hen elects to set herself in the laying house, constant 
fighting will be the result, probably ending in the spoliation 
of the whole nest. Some hens resist being removed, and 
refuse to sit anywhere but in the places they select ; but, as 
a rule, they are much more reasonable than this. On a large 
farm where hatching is to be extensively adopted, it is 
better to have a docile sitting breed, and for this we know 
of none better than Brahma-dorkings, as they will allow 
themselves to be handled, are large, without being clumsy, 
cover a goodly number of eggs, make excellent sitters and 



1 66 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

mothers, and are very good all-round fowls. Often, however, 
other hens have to be obtained, and, when sitters are scarce, 
the}' must be taken. The plan we are about to suggest will 
generally be found to answer for all, except, it may be, very 
wild ones. 

"Where it is only necessary to hatch one or two settings 
each year, there need be no difficulty in setting the hens, as 
they can be put separately in outhouses, empty runs, or any 
other places of that kind, but, where a number of hens have 
to be kept at work at one time, then some other system must 
be adopted. If the farm or ground space available is very 
large, the hens may be distributed in various parts, under 
charge of the cottagers, but, as a rule, we prefer to keep them 
near home, where they can be looked after by one person, 
whose sole care they will be. And, for this purpose, it is best 
to devote a good, large, comfortable room, such as an empty 
stable, an unused coach-house, a loft above a stable, a cool 
conservatory, or, even a large empty room in the house itself, 
and, during the early part of the season, the chicken-house, 
if one has been made, may also be used. But, when the 
chickens begin to appear, it will be much better to put the 
sitting hens elsewhere, as they are very apt to get fidgety and 
restless, hearing the " cluck, cluck" of the mothers a*nd the 
"peep, peep" of the chickens. 

Whatever is the place selected, it should be warm, com- 
fortable, well ventilated, free from draughts, and as even in 
temperature as possible, but, except in very severe weather, 
it is not necessary to keep a fire in it, for, if well built, it will 
be warm enough, though if adjoining a stable or green-house 
it will be all the better. In very cold weather some arti- 
ficial warmth is necessary, or the hens will be most likely to 
desert their nests. The room selected need not be well 
lighted, and, in fact, a somewhat dim place is the best, for 
the birds sit quieter in the dark. The same room can be 



The Hatching Box, 



167 



used as a fattening place later on in the year, if not in a 
dwelling-house, and, if dark, the inmates will thrive more 
rapidly than in light, but hatching and fattening must not 
be carried on at the same time. An earthen floor is best, 
though when it is made of brick, cement or wood, the same 
result can be arrived at by laying down ashes or fine earth, 
about a foot thick, over the same. Upon this, all round the 
room, hatching boxes may be placed, if the first plan we are 
about to describe be adopted. 

The kind of nest box we prefer, having used it for many 
years, is a plain deal box, about eighteen inches in height, 




Fig. 7.— Matching Box. 

and fifbifen inches square, similar to that shown in Fig. 7, 
which should be kept by all dealers in poultry supplies. It 
is made without bottom, or only with wire netting to keep 
out rats, but with a solid top ; the upper two-thirds of the 
front forms a door, which may open either upwards or down- 
wards, the latter preferred, and, if hinged and provided with 
a simple catch, is easily opened and closed, and, when closed, 
the inmate is perfectly secure, and cannot be molested. 
Holes for ventilation are bored in the top and the sides, and 
a coat of whitewash inside completes the whole. "We have 
often made half-a-dozen of these boxes in a single afternoon, 
at a small cost, but they can also be bought at reasonable 



1 68 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

prices. We prefer these to any others, especially to those made 
in sets, as each one can be removed at any time for cleaning 
purposes, and, consequently, vermin are not harboured. And 
as a score boxes can be kept in one room without difficulty, 
tbey answer all the purposes required. We do not approve of 
hatching nests in tiers, not only because they harbour insects, 
but, also, because the air cannot circulate about the nests, as 
it can in the boxes we have described. This is most im- 
portant, and is sufficient to account for the non- success so 
often found where the nest boxes are made in sets. 

Other plans can be adopted for hatching boxes. For 
instance, we some time ago visited a very large poultry yard 
and were surprised to see in use, in the hatching houses, 
what to us was a new plan, but which at first did not appear 
to be a good one. The hatching boxes were suspended to 
the wall, about two feet above the ground, and were made so 
that the hens could be securely shut in. The bottoms of 
these boxes were pieces of wire netting stretched upon frames, 
and removable, so that the inside could be properly cleaned 
out. The nests were simply straw — no earth or grass sod, 
or anything, but straw — and the owner informed us that dur- 
ing the previous season, the success in these nests was greater 
than in any other. His idea was taken from the nests 
of wild birds, and he believed that free circulation of air, is 
of the greatest importance for successful hatching. This 
bears out what we have already said ; and whilst we cannot 
now go so far as to recommend this system to all our readers, 
yet there is undoubtedly something in it. Of course, there 
are many who succeed well in hatching, with only plain boxes, 
or even a couple of bricks ; but, where a number of hens are 
to be set, this plan necessitates a separate place for every one, 
which is not at all times possible. 

As already stated, where the hatching boxes recommended 
by us are used, the floor should be covered with fine soil, or 



Arrangement of Hatching Boxes. 169 

ashes, about a foot thick, and upon this the boxes must be 
placed. The object is to keep the underside of the eggs 
cool, and the atmosphere in the nest moist. A hen, when 
allowed to choose her own nest, generally selects a cool, damp 
spot, so that we are only following nature in doing this ; and, 
as the boxes are without bottoms, the moisture in the earth 
or ashes naturally affects the nest itself. The best plan is 
to put these boxes all around the room, with their backs to 
the walls, and a space of a foot between each. Thus, in a 
room fifteen feet square, between thirty and forty nests can 
be accommodated. As each hen has to be allowed out to feed 
separately, it is sometimes thought advisable not to put so 
many in one room, but to divide them, so that two or more 
may be off feeding at one time. We have also seen a capital 
plan adopted in some places, namely, having half-a-dozen 
large roomy pens at one end of the room, in each of which 
food and water is provided, and plenty of fine dry ashes for 
a dust bath. By such an arrangement as this, half-a-dozen 
hens can be fed at one time, but, of course, they will have 
to be lifted off the nests, put into the pens, and returned 
to the nests again, when they have been properly fed. The 
saving of time by so doing is very great, for, allowing fifteen 
minutes to each bird, it would take six hours to feed twenty- 
four, whereas, in the way we have described, one hour would 
be sufficient. If the attendant has little or nothing else to 
do, then it is, perhaps, not worth the extra cost ; but where 
there is plenty of other work to do, it will be found a very 
economical method. 

After the box is in position, a good shovelful of fine soil or 
ashes should be placed inside, and then hollowed out with 
the hand like a saucer, so as to make the nest a proper shape. 
Care is necessary, to see that the corners are filled up, or the 
eggs will be very liable to roll away from under the hen, the 
result of which will be chilling and addling. Above the 



170 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

earth, some soft straw must be laid, oaten preferred, or, if 
wheaten is used, it should be well beaten or rubbed in the 
bauds, and then the nest is ready for the eggs, and for the 
hen. 

Most of our readers will be sufficiently learned in poultry 
matters, as to be able to tell when a hen is " broody,'' or 
" clucking," as it is often called. Any one who has lived in 
the country will have no difficulty in the matter, but it may 
be, that a few denizens of the towns may not have this 
knowledge. The best sign is that the hen sits closely on her 
nest, and makes a sound not unlike " cluck, cluck." If 
taken off, she gets back again as fast as possible, resenting 
the interference more or less, according to her temperament. 
The best plan of putting a hen off being broody is to move 
her about; and, therefore, when she is wanted as a sitter, she 
must not be disturbed too soon, but left alone until the broody 
fever is fully developed. 

In the case of a hen, which has been proved in previous 
years to be a really good mother, then the eggs may be 
placed in a hatching box, and she can get to work at once ; 
but with a young or unknown hen our plan has been to put a 
few dummy eggs — i. e., either chalk or spoiled eggs — into the 
nest, in order to test her, before the eggs to be hatched are 
given. By this means very many valuable eggs may be saved, 
which would otherwise be lost through the removal having 
upset the hen. The best time to set a hen is at night, as 
then she is more likely to settle down to her work, not having 
seen the surroundings. The eggs should be put into the 
nest, with some food and water near, and, if the rays from a 
lantern or candle be thrown upon the eggs so that the hen 
can see them, the food, and very little else, she will gene- 
rally go on of her own accord, as soon as she has fed herself. 
Should she be reluctant to do so, gentle force may be used, 
and the hen placed on to the nest, and shut therein. As a 



Management of Sitting Hens. 171 

rule, if left undisturbed for twenty-four hours, a hen so treated 
will be found sitting closely, and all will go on well after- 
wards. The real eggs can then be substituted for the others ; 
but, if she is at all unsettled, this must not be done for 
a day or two longer. 

As already indicated by us, each hen must be allowed off 
the nest for feeding purposes once every day, and thus, in a 
room where there are a large number of sitters, it should be 
arranged that this shall take place in rotation. The period 
may be varied according to the season of the year, and the 
temperature of the place where the hens are sitting. Hens 
which find their own nests are accustomed to leave them an 
hour at a time ; but, it must be remembered, that, as a rule, 
they never sit except in moderately warm weather, such as can 
generally be found in the late spring. It will not do, there- 
fore, to adopt the same plan at all seasons. Eggs will stand 
a very great deal, and we have known them hatch, even after 
being stone cold for twelve hours ; but this fact must not be 
taken as a warrant for carelessness. As a general rule, it 
may be accepted that ten to fifteen minutes is long enough, 
early in the year ; but, later on, or, if in a warm place, then 
half-an-hour will do no harm. If the temperature is very 
low, the first-named period would be sufficient to kill the 
eggs ; and, when this is the case, something must be done 
when the hen is off, either by closing the box or covering the 
eggs, to prevent their getting chilled. If the nest is made 
in a proper place, however, there will be no danger of this, 
and the periods given by us may be taken as a rule. The 
leaving of the nest by the hen is necessary, not only for her 
sake, but that the eggs may be cooled, without which they 
will not hatch. It is supposed that the cooler air is required 
to expand the lungs of the embyro chick, and that fresh 
vigour is thus drawn through the pores of the shell. At any 
rate, whatever may be the reason, it is no doubt a fact that 



172 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

too close a sitter generally spoils her nest, and fails to bring 
out any chicks. Upon this account, therefore, if a hen 
shows any reluctance to come off, she must be lifted off. To 
do this properly, care is necessary, and the hands must be 
slid below the wings, so as to prevent any eggs that might 
happen to be tucked under them, falling down when the hen 
is lifted, and breaking the others in the nest. She must 
then be lifted up by the wings ; and, if she makes any attempt 
to run back without feeding, the door of the hatching box 
should be closed until the time named has expired. 

The food given to a sitting hen must always consist of 
hard grain, as corn, wheat or barley, and never of soft food. 
The latter causes looseness of the bowels, and the poor hen, 
unable or unwilling to leave her nest, fouls it. If this should 
happen, or, from any cause an egg gets broken, the eggs 
remaining, must be well washed, and the nest re-made. This 
is best done by having a pail half full of warm water, just hot 
enough so that the hand can bear it. The eggs should be 
placed in this, and properly cleaned with a sponge ; and the 
legs and thighs of the bird must also be washed, to prevent 
the eggs sticking thereto, and, perhaps, falling and breaking, 
when the hen gets out. A dust bath will be needed also, 
say, a box half filled with dry ashes or earth, with a sprink- 
ling of carbolic powder in it. This will help to keep down 
lice, which are not only troublesome to the hens, but danger- 
ous to the chicks, causing that most dreaded of all chicken 
diseases, the gapes. 

Considerable discussion has arisen as to the testing of eggs. 
This is done to prove their fertility, during the process of incu- 
bation. Some there are who advocate a " let alone " policy; but 
we do not, as we firmly believe in ihe testing, and always do it. 
If carefully done no harm can ensue ; and, if unfertile eggs are 
present, as they very often are, especially early in the season, 
they can be removed, and thus six or eight hens made to do 



Testing Eggs, 173 

the work of a dozen under the old system. Whether hens 
or incubators are used, all eggs ought to be tested on the 
seventh day, and, in order to obtain the full benefit of this, 
two or more hens should be set at the same time, so that, if a 
number are barren, one of the sitters can have her eggs 
given to the others, and a fresh nest made for her instead. 
Eggs may be tested in various ways. The original method 
was to grasp the egg with the thumb and forefinger of the 
left hand, using the other fingers, and the other hand, also, to 
shade off the light from the eyes. Many hundreds we have 
done in this way ; but now egg testers are sold at about a 
quarter each, which are more certain, at any rate to those 
who have not tried the testing before. If there is only one 
window in the room, place the egg in the tester between the 
light and the eye, when the egg will appear cloudy or clear, 
as it is fertile or unfertile. At seven days, a " live " egg will 
have a black spot in the centre, gradually shading off to the 
edges, where it is much clearer, whilst an unfertile egg 
remains clear all the time. When working an incubator, we 
can tell fertile eggs thirty -six hours after they are put into 
the machine, but this requires considerable experience, and 
it is not wise to disturb a hen so early as the time named. 
In testing, perhaps the safest way, is to examine the eggs at 
night, by a candle, a lamp, or a gas jet, but care must be 
taken that they are kept at least six inches from the flame, or 
the heat will kill the embryo. All eggs found unfertile can 
be removed, and will be perfectly good for cooking purposes, 
or may be used for feeding chickens. 

After this examination, nothing more need be done until 
the nineteenth day, except to see every day when the hen 
is off for feeding that the nest is all right, and, in drj 
weather, or, if upon a boarded floor, about a pint or a quart 
of hot water should be poured round the outside of the box> 
so as to keep the earth in the box damp, and thus provide 



174 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

the necessary moisture. This is a most important, but often 
neglected, precaution. On the nineteenth day, a further 
examination will be advisable, but this time by water. A 
pail, about three-parts full of water heated up to 103 degs., 
which is just as hot as the hand can comfortably bear it, 
must be at hand, and in this all the eggs placed. The 
dead, or addled ones will generally sink to the bottom, whilst 
those that contain strong chicks will float in the water, and, 
in a minute or two, begin to bob about in a most peculiar 
manner, sometimes almost jumping out of the water. This 
is caused by the efforts of the chick to escape from its prison, 
and often may the chicks be heard to chirp in the shell. 
Only such eggs as have moved, and they need to be carefully 
noted to prove this, as the motion in the water may deceive 
as to whether they have moved or not, should be put back 
in the nest, as the others are certainly dead. We have 
tested hundreds, if not thousands, in this manner, and never 
found but two or three in which we had been mistaken. 
The benefits of this test are obvious. The water softens 
the shell, making the escape of the chick easier, and the 
removal of the dead eggs gives the birds more room as they 
come out, the attention of the hen being entirely devoted to 
them, and not partially taken away in expectation of the 
appearance of others. 

As is generally known, twenty-one days is the period of 
incubation for chickens, but for one or two of the more 
active breeds, a day less, in which case the water test should 
be applied the same period of time earlier. If the eggs are 
very fresh when put into the nest, it will be found, when the 
hen is off on the day after they have been tested, that many 
are chipped, or even the chicks out of the shell, and, if this 
latter is the case, the egg shells must then be removed, and 
every three or four hours afterwards, the nest examined for 
the same purpose. These vacant shells have a very dangerous 



Breaking the Shell. 175 

habit of fitting themselves on to the other eggs, which 
simply means, that the chicks in the latter cannot get out. 
Unless the hatching is very uneven, we do not advise the 
removal of any of the birds from under the hen, but some- 
times this is necessary, when they should be placed in a 
basket near a fire, and covered up with a piece of new flannel. 
This uneven hatching is more the result of some of the ecrgs 

o DO 

not being fresh, than from any other cause. 

Should any of the chicks appear to be unable to get out of 
the shell, they may be aided, but, as a rule, if they cannot 
get out themselves they are generally not worth the trouble. 
We have found, however, that the use of the water on the 
nineteenth day, almost entirely prevents any difficulty in this 
respect, but, if it is thought desirable to help the hatching, 
the way to do it is to get a bowl of warm water, in which they 
are placed, taking care to keep the chipped portion out of the 
water. In this the eggs are kept for a couple of minutes, 
when they are returned to the nest. Breaking the shell 
is very dangerous, for if blood is drawn, then death or 
deformity ensues, but the plan we have here recommended 
does all that is necessary in the majority of cases, and, in 
the others, the birds would probably drag out a miserable 
existence, and be neither of use, nor give pleasure to the 
owner. A little patience is needed, as sometimes hatching 
is delayed, and we should not give up eggs that had 
" bobbed" in the water, for two or three days after the time 
they were due to hatch. If two or more hens are set at 
once, then these late eggs can all be given to one, and the 
others have the chicks. 



176 Profitable Poultry Kecjwtg. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 

A Practical Success — Past Attempts — Difficulties — Later Attempts — The Turning 
Point — Rouillier's Machine — Prejudice Against the Hydro-Incubator — The 
Incubator Trials— How Superior to Previous Machines— Drawback to Hydro- 
Incubator — Voitellier's Hydro — Owen's Tabular — Arnold's Egg Oven— Self 
Heating Incubators — Hearson's — New Centennial — "Perfect Hatcher" — The 
Thermostatic— The Novelty— Advice to Workers. 

It is not at all necessary, now-a-days, to make any excuse 
for introducing the subject of artificial incubation into any 
work upon the keeping of poultry, for such a method of 
hatching has passed out of the theoretical into the practical 
stage ; and, it is not too much to say, that there are thousands 
of machines at work in Great Britain, in France, and in 
America, as well as very large numbers used for ostrich hatch- 
ing at the Cape. It is no longer a merely theoretical and 
expensive hobby, only to be taken up by those who have 
plenty of time and money at command, but has become an 
acknowledged success, neither intricate in its method of 
working, nor expensive in the first cost and subsequent 
management. But this has only been reached within the 
last few years, as many can verify, and there is every sign 
that the use of incubators is very likely to last, the results 
already attained being sufficient to justify this belief. 

In theory, there has never been any difficulty about 
artificial incubation, because, so far as can bo seen, wLen 



A rtificial Incubation. 177 

eggs are laid by the hen all that is needed, if they are fertile, 
is to give the same amount of heat, air, and moisture as if 
brooded by the mother, and the chickens must come. This 
lias not, however, been found so very easy in practice. In 
the first place, the heat must be kept regular, like that of 
the hen ; and, in order to obtain this, most elaborate and 
ingenious machines have at various times been devised, the 
object being, of course, to regulate the supply of heat, so 
that the temperature to which the eggs are subjected might 
be maintained as evenly as possible. Many of these worked 
splendidly, so long as the mechanism did not get out of 
order ; but this mechanism was necessarily so intricate, that 
very little upset it, and, in addition to this, the cost was so 
great that only the wealthy could afford to risk so much money 
over a doubtful experiment. In other machines, where the 
regulating power was not so susceptible, all went well so long 
as the outer atmosphere was moderately even, but, as soon 
as a sudden change came, the calculations were upset, 
and the eggs chilled or roasted. A hen's body is always 
about the same in heat, and she sits closely or lightly, in 
accordance with the weather ; but, as a machine can never 
be made to think, and cannot be endowed with instinct, pre- 
parations are necessary to meet all conditions, and these 
preparations, in many instances, meant complexity and expen- 
siveness. The accounts of the egg ovens of Egypt, China, 
and Siam, where artificial egg hatching has existed for 
centuries, led many to attempt reaching the same end here, 
and the records of the Patent Office, show the large numbei 
of attempts made to find success, many of which exhibited 
very great skill and scientific knowledge. It was forgotten, 
however, that what was possible and easy in the countries 
we have named, where the temperature is high and very even, 
is most difficult in an erratic and cold climate. Even with 
natural hatching, the difficulties in the way, are greater in 

N 



1 78 Rro fit able Poultry Keeping, 

America than in many other countries; and, wherever a 
changeable climate is found there are great difficulties to 
contend with, both in natural and artificial incubation. 
This is even exemplified in the difference between the south- 
ern and the northern parts of the country, for in the former 
chickens can, as a rule, be hatched some three or six weeks 
earlier than in the latter. 

As we have just stated, many attempts have been made 
to solve the problem, some of which promised to, and did, 
attain a measure of success. A generation or two ago, 
Messrs. Brindley, Schroder and Cantello, worked hard at 
the question; and, in later years, Messrs. Vallee, Boyle 
and Penman have done the same ; but, it is with no idea of 
discrediting those gentlemen, that we say, they did not really 
help to arrive at the true solution. Mr. Boyle spent a very 
great deal of time, and several hundreds of pounds, in his 
experiments, and his machine displayed great scientific know- 
ledge and skill. It was fitted with the best regulator we 
have ever seen, which was so delicate, that we have known 
it maintain the temperature for weeks, with a variation of 
only half a degree, in most changeable weather. The incubator 
of Mr. Penman was also very cleverly devised, and worked 
well ; but, in both these machines, the mechanism made thern 
expensive, and the many fine and delicate movements, to 
regulate the supply of air, moisture, and heat, made the 
working of them difficult, or, at any rate, too difficult for the 
results. Doubtless the makers, and a few others, were able 
to work them, but ordinary folks could not ; and, although 
many tried, few succeeded in their endeavours. And, again, 
gas or oil lamps were used as the heating power, the cost 
for either of which was expensive under the system adopted, 
and, not only so, but the great consumption of gas or oil, 
charged the air with impurities, which often killed the germ 
in the egg, either early or late in the process. And, in 



Successful Incubators. 179 

addition to this, the art of artificial rearing was very little 
understood, so that even when the birds were hatched, they 
died off in large numbers afterwards. 

The numberless failures — fur there were scores who mado 
and tried artificial incubators, who were never known to fame 
— gave the general impression that there must be something 
supplied by the hen, unknown to man, but which is necessary 
for the successful hatching of the eggs. This was after- 
wards proved to be erroneous, and that the failures had 
been the result of a false system, upon which they had all 
been made. The Paris Exhibition of 1877 was an im- 
portant period, so far as this question was concerned, for, at 
it, there were shown incubators upon an altogether new 
principle, and these have revolutionised the system, turn- 
ing into a success that which was an entire failure pre- 
viously. The machine we no»v speak of, is the hydro- 
incubator, invented by a Frenchman named Rouillier, and 
which, in its arrangements and mode of working, is simplicity 
itself, so simple thai, we wonder no one ever thought of it 
before. The main idea worked upon is, that a large body 
of water, embedded in non-conducting material, so as to 
prevent exposure to the atmosphere, will retain its heat for a 
very long time. These incubators have very large tanks, 
holding about fourteen gallons of water, which are divided 
into three horizontal compartments, each communicating with 
the others by means of a few small holes. This tank is 
placed in a wooden case, and surrounded on all sides, save 
the bottom (under which is the egg drawer), by an inch or 
more of felt, or some other non-conducting material, tightly 
pressed down. When this tank is filled with hot water, it 
is found that the water only loses from two to five degrees, 
every twenty-four hours, according to the temperature of the 
place where it is kept. If the water in the top compartment 
only be Irawn off, and that in the lower ones be left undis- 

n 2 



180 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

turbcd, the former being again filled with boiling water, the 
heat from this will gradually affect the lower body, and prevent 
its going down. By repeating this every twelve hours, the 
heat in the egg drawer can be maintained at almost any 
degree of temperature, with a scarcely perceptible variation, 
and, as there is no great expense in the making of such a 
machine, no intricate mechanism to get out of order, no cost 
for gas or oil, or combustion of these latter to vitiate the 
atmosphere, the advance upon the old system is very great, 
and, in practice, the hydro-incubator has been found very 
simple and efficient, so that now there are large numbers in 
operation. The inventor of this machine has stated that, in 
one year he hatched upwards of 44,000 chicks in these 
machines. In the district of France where he lives, the 
poultry keepers bring their eggs to him to be hatched, and go 
three weeks afterwards for the chicks, one in three of the 
birds thus brought out being paid for the trouble involved. 

Hydro-incubators, on their introduction to our breeders, 
had to contend with a very great deal of prejudice aud oppo- 
sition. They were altogether against all preconceived notions, 
and apparently were more for playthings than actual work. 
The very fact of having to supply a gallon or two of boiling 
water twice a day was deemed too great a trouble ; but a few 
bolder spirits tried the machines, found them succeed very well 
indeed, and, at a public trial held in 1879, the hydro came off 
victorious, which was sufficient to give it a position at once. 
Many defects had by this time been remedied, so as to make 
it more fitted for Great Britain ; and the rearers sent out with it 
were found to be, beyond all question, first-rate things. Thus 
the hydro at once silenced all opponents, and, from its com- 
paratively low price, at once became the machine. We believe 
we are right in saying that of its opponents in the trial of 
1879, only one machine is now to be purchased, the others no 
longer being made. This success has made artificial incuba- 



The " Hydro-Incubator." 181 

tion a fact, and thousands of chickens are hatched every year 
in inc abators. The bearing upon the question of poultry 
farming is very great, as the attention given to a machine is 
not more than is needed by a couple of hens, whilst it will 
do four or six times the work, and with greater certainty. 
This has, undoubtedly, had much to do with the recent revival 
of interest in poultry keeping, and we, therefore, are justified 
in dealing fully with the question. 

As might naturally be expected, the lrydro-incubator was 
not allowed to have all the field to itself. If its introduction 
had not done any other good, that of showing where the 
mistake was in the construction of previous machines was 
enough to earn our favour. All these machines had been 
made on the principle of having a small tank of water above 
the eggs, heated by a continuously burning lamp, or gas jet. 
In some, the tank was partially embedded, bat in others, it 
was entirely exposed, and in all it was very liable to external 
atmospheric influences. The result of this was, that every 
variation of the temperature affected the machine, and, during 
sudden changes, it was almost impossible for any regulator to 
withstand the pressure brought to bear upon it. Only one — 
Boyle's — did actually work smoothly in this way, and that 
was doubtless partly due to the fact, that its tank was the most 
protected of all. This constant variation in the temperature, 
could not but be hurtful to the eggs. But there was another 
great evil, namely, that the rapid exhaustion of the heat, 
consequent upon exposure, necessitated the consumption of a 
comparatively large quantity of gas or oil, with vitiation of the 
atmosphere already spoken of. On the introduction of the 
hydro-incubator, therefore, it was at once seen that, with a 
larger body of water in the tank, and the tank protected from 
external influences, the heat in the machine would be steadier, 
the consumption of oil or gas would be very small, and the 
vitiation of the atmosphere reduced to a minimum, or entirely 



1 82 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

prevented, and this led to experiments, which have resulted 
in machines with continuous burning lamps, but without any 
of the objectionable features in the incubators of the past. 

The incubators now upon the market, both in England 
and America, are numerous, and there is a considerable trade 
in them. It is not necessary for us to do more than refer 
to their leading characteristics, and then any of our readers, 
who may be inclined to invest in a machine, can form 
their own opinions as to the one most suited to them ; 
not only so, but, as each maker issues a pamphlet or circular 
relating to his own machine, very full information can be 
got out of these. 

We have seen that the great improvement which the hydro- 
incubators exhibit over the older ones, is in the larger body 
of water, as this makes the working of the machine a great 
deal easier, and maintains the temperature much steadier, 
than in the old machines, where the bulk of water was only 
one-sixth or one-eighth as great. The chief drawback to the 
"hydro," is the trouble involved in the partial emptying and 
refilling of the tank twice a day. In places where there is 
plenty of hot water at command, or, in a large room specially 
fitted up for the purpose with hot-water pipes, this is of small 
moment ; but, with ordinary folks, it means a great deal of 
labour and trouble. One plan adopted is to have a large tin 
boiler, holding four gallons of water, standing upon a gas 
stove on the top of the incubator, in which the water is boiled 
twice a day, and the water run into the tank direct. Oil 
stoves have been introduced for the same purpose, where gas 
is not available ; but, about two years ago, a modification 
was introduced in the shape of small heating boilers, affixed, 
by means of a couple of pipes, to the side of the machine as 
is shown in fig. (8), and so constructed, that the water in the 
tank can be re-heated twice or thrice a day, without the trouble 
of emptying and refilling. This is done by the simple process 



The Ilydro-Incubalor. 



183 



of Laving a lamp or gas jet under the boiler, and, b y the 
natural circulation ot water, that in the upper compartment 
of the tank gradually passing through the boiler and thus 
being requested. 

by the use of this boiler twice a day for about an 
hour each time, the machine can be worked; and, though 
this system requires care, yet with that care it is both simple 
and easy. The makers of the hydro-incubator are Messrs. 




Hg. 8. - Christy*! I7y]ro-Incubator, with Cirenhiiog Boiler. 



Thos. Christy and Co., of Fenchurch Street, London, who 
bare by their enterprise done a very great deal to solve the 

problem of artificial incubation and rearing, and their 
machines are now well known all over the world. In a place 
where hot water is not to be obtained easily, and in sufficient 
quantity, we know of no better machine than theirs, and we 
should in such a place strongly recommend it, as there is no 
dungcr of fire, no vitiation of the atmosphere, and there are 
no regulators to get out of order. 



iS.j. Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

The other machines made on tins hot-water principle are, 
first, that o( M. Voitellier, of Nantes, in France. This is 
very similar to the Christy machine, except that it has the 
egg drawer rather differently situated. It is one of the oldest 
machines, and we have heard von- favourable accounts of it, 
both in this country and in France. Secondly, there arc tho 
tubular incubators made by Mr. John Owen, of the Minories, 
London, which arc very similar to the Christy, having a boiler 
at tho side. In this case, the water in the tank is not reheated 
by flowing through the boiler, hut, connected with the boiler 
aro pipes through which the heated water flows, and theso 
heat the water in the tank. And, thirdly, there is the " Egg 
Oven," a machine invented byMiss May Arnold, of Acton. 
This is almost conical in shape, and the tank above the eggs 
forms an archway. The body of water held in it is very 
large, SO that the quantity to he supplied, in order to keep up 
the heat, is very small indeed. Capital arrangements are made 
for ventilation, cooling, and moisture ; and, though we havo 
not had an opportunity of testing it in actual practice, as it 
is of but recent introduction, we have great faith in it, as it 
appears to be made upon very sound principles. All these 
machines are made in various sizes, from thirty-six eggs 
upwards, and are reasonable in price. 

The trouble involved with the hydro-incubators, led many 
to experiment with self-heating machines, and we appear 
now to be returning to the original system of continuous 
burning lamps; but, certainly, they are in a much less 
objectionable form than at first, as the water tanks are large, 
Consequently the loss of heat is small, and the boilers are 
made small so that the water in them heats very rapidly. 
As a result of these alterations, the lamp flames or gas jets 
are diminutive, compared with the old ones, so that the vitia- 
tion of the atmosphere is reduced to a minimum. These 
nro decided steps in advance ; and, though wo should prefer 



M Hearsotti Incubator" 185 

the hydro-incubators if ire were working on a large scald, is 
which cam the snpply of boiling water could be easily pro- 
vided for, we are almost inclined to think that the self beating 
machines are better for those who do not Irish to conduct 
op mi ions so ( ■••■.!« □ ively. 'J'Jic latter are certainly much < 
to work, and are rery little more costly than the others* The 
greatest dangers sre in over-heating, and, in the case of lamp 
machines especially, making the air in the apartment where 
It is kept impure a danger which can be obviated to a largo 
extent, by the exercise of a little care in the working of the 
machine, and by having the room well ventilated. 

One of the best machines of this class, is that known 
Hearson's, made by the Sun Anto-Pneumatic Company, of 
Bouthwarki We have heard the rery highest testimonies as 
to its capabilities, and recently heard a gentleman, who 
Jiiis about a dozen incubators of various kinds, say that be 
prefers this one to all the others* Above the lamp, which 
is placed at one side of the machine, is a chimney, which bas 
two outlets. TI10 first of these is immediately over Ihe 
lamp, but the other runs through the water-tank and bad 
again, the top of which is the side of the one first named* 
There is no boiler above the lamp, and the only method of 
heating in by means of tin- hot air passing through iIjih 
longer chimney, for, when in operation, a cap fits on to the 
shorter one, and the heated air cannot escape in that way, 
1 pt under such circumstances as we shall presently indi- 
cate. Below the tank, and just above the egg-drawer, if a 
metal capsule about two inches square, and in this in some 
fluid, unknown ( icept to the makers, which expands enor- 
mously when the beat rise:-; to more than 10 1 degrees. On 
the upper side is a rod, which passes up a tube through the 
tank, communicating, l>y a lover, with another rod, whicb is 
attached to the cap fitting on to the chimney immediately 
above the lump. When the machine is in its normal con- 



iS6 



Profitable Poultry Keeping, 



dition, this cap remains in position, and the hot air has to go 
the circuit already named ; but, when the heat rises above 
104 degrees, the capsule expands, the lever is acted upon, and 
the cap is lifted from off the chimney, so that the hot air 
escapes there, and the machine soon cools down. This cap- 
sule is wonderfully susceptible, and the incubator is found to 
work admirably. The usual arrangements are made in it for 
ventilation, and moisture, without which no machine could 
succeed. 

AMERICAN INCUBATORS. 




THE "NEW CENTENNIAL" INCUBATOR. 



A — Thumb piece, or crank, on roller of 

turning-tray. 
B— Boiler. 
0— Connecting rod from outside lever of 

rock-shaft to lamp. 
Z>— Outer door. 

A"-- Moisture pan under egg tray. 
G— Egg tray. 

H— Ventilator to nursery, 
i— Lamp lever. 



A"— Outside lever of rock-shaft. 
L — Lamp. 

N — Door of nursery. 
P— Rods or wires of adjustable egg tray. 
8— Springs that hold lamp in place. 
T— Moisture trough. 
T— Ventilator flues from egg chamber. 
Z— Inner door with glass window (shown 
open). 



There are three self-regulating incubators prominently 
before the people of this country, each practically good, and 
neither characterized especially by the modesty of its claims. 



A merican Incubators. 1 8 7 

The oldest of these is Halsted's " Centennial" now im- 
proved and called New Centennial.* 

The construction of this is certainly very simple, as it has 
neither clock-work, electricity, weights, pulleys, gear or 
ratchet wheels, provided the four il thermostatic bars so 
pivoted and linked together that they multiply power and 
motion, " do not make a complication. 

The machine consists of a small water heater, which warms 
the water in a tank placed over the egg-chamber. The source 
of heat may be either kerosene oil or gas. The eggs, placed 
in trays, are warmed by radiation on the upper surface only. 
Under the trays are shallow pans of water six to ten degrees 
cooler than the eggs, the aim being to imitate the conditions 
which are observed when hens make their nests on the 
ground. The air in the egg-chamber is also moistened by 
water from troughs suspended above the eggs. Ventilation is 
provided through tubes which introduce a constant flow of 
fresh air close under the tank, thus warming it before it 
comes in contact with the eggs. The impure air is taken out 
from the bottom. All the eggs are turned at one time by 
means of an ingenious construction of the bottom of the egg' 
tray. A set of thermostatic bars above the eggs raise and 
lower the flame of the lamp or gas burner, and thus adapt the 
heat given out to the changes of temperature in the room, 
and hold the heat of the machine close to the desired point by 
a constant and not by a fitful or alternating action. There is 
a chamber under the egg-trays which is warmed by the tube 
which returns the water from the tank to the heater outside, 
which is used as a " Nursery " for the chicks. 

The machine is well made, neatly finished, easily managed, 
and gives satisfaction. The inventor has long been before the 
public as a maker of incubators, and this combines features 
which have proved their usefulness in his other machines. 



* Made by A. M. Halsted, Rye, N. Y. 



i88 



Profitable Poultry Keeping. 




THE " PERFECT " HATCHER.* 

In general construction this machine is similar to the " Cen- 
tennial ; " that is, the water tank is above the eggs, and it is 
warmed by a heater exterior to the machine, the Nursery is 
below the egg-chamber, and the source of heat is gas or kero- 
sene oil. The moisture pans are in contact with the return 
water pipe under the eggs. The eggs are turned by placing 
an empty tray inverted over the eggs and then inverting both 
at once. The regulation of the heat is effected by means of a 
thermostatic bar, which, by moving a lever, connects an elec- 
trical (Leclanche) battery with a clock-work, which, when the 
heat reaches the highest point, opens a ventilator and reduces 
the flame of the lamp, and, when the lowest permitted tem- 
perature is reached, closes the draft and turns up the flame. 
Thus the heat constantly but slowly vacillates between the 
two extremes as fixed — intermediate between the highest and 
lowest admissible temperatures. A notable peculiarity of this 
machine, and one which doubles its capacity after the first 
ten days, is its double layers of eggs. The upper tray is 



* Hade by Perfect Hatcher Co., Elmira, N. Y. 



American Incubators. 



189 



placed below after being set ten days, and then the upper one 
is filled. It is fair to say that experienced hatchers differ in 
their opinions as to the merits of this feature, the weight of 
opinion being against it, except, perhaps, when eggs are very 
plenty. The clock needs to be wound once in three days, but 
daily winding is recommended, and the battery is guaranteed 
to work a year without removal or interference. This ma- 
chine also receives high commendation from those who use it, 
and is certainly successful and satisfactory in its results. 




ii^'-^ 



THE THERMOSTATIC INCUBATOR," 



In this incubator we have several novel features. There is 
no water tank, and no water is used except to supply moisture, 

* Made by E. S. RsnwicX 19 Parle Place, Now York. 



190 Profitable Poultry Keeping* 

sir warmed by oontaot with two metallic lamp flues giving 
the desired warmth to the eggs. The air thus wanned is dif- 
fused in the upper part of the maehine, where it eomes in 
contact with pans of water, absorbing as muoh as it needs ; 
then it is forced downward, maintaining a nearly nniformlj 
descending flow past and through the egg trays, ami passes 
out at the bottom of the maehine through the N ursery, where 
it passes ofl by a tine ami chimney at the rear. The regula- 
tion of the heat is accomplished by a thermostat ie bar, whieh, 
operating a simple eloek-work, opens or eloses the lamp Hues, 
thus increasing or diminishing the heat of the current of air, 
which is constantly passing through the maehine. None o'i 
the products of combustion enter the egg chamber. 

The eggs are held in bottomless trays either upon rods or 
upon wooden rollers. The rollers are connected by rubber 
bands so that they all turn together one way or the other, and 
thus when one is turned all turn, and the eggs lying upon 
them turn, and may thus all be turned over at one operation. 
When trays with rods are used, one-third more ejttfS may be 
held in the same spaee. Both rollers and rods are set so far 
apart that while they hold eggs of all sizes they allow the 
chicks io fall through into the Nursery, the Horn- of whieh is 
four inohes below the egg trays. The regulation of the tem- 
perature is by its alternate rise and fall, but, as this is very 
gradual and may have a very small range, it does not appear 
to be objectionable. 

The Thermostatic is a comparatively new incubator, vet is 
well received by practical men. and has done very crood work. 

There is a very simple elass of ineubators with whieh per- 
sons whose employment, or lack o( other employment, is sueh 
that they can give them frequent attention, may successfully 
hatoh many ehiekens. Oi' this elass is 

THE "NOVELTY" lNOUlUTOR.* 

This may stand for its elass, whieh is peculiar in having no 
automatic regulating apparatus. This machine consists of 

* Made by A. G Atkins, Orarge, N. J. 



Brooders or Artificial Mothers. 191 

two tanks placed one above and one beneath the egg drawer, 
and connected by tubes in such a way as to cause a very free 
and perfect circulation of the water. This double tank is 
jacketed with felt and inclosed in a wooden box. The egg 
tray or drawer is between the tanks as stated, and beneath 
this a pan of earth kept constantly moist imparts sufficient 
moisture to the air. 

The source of heat is a naked kerosene lamp under the 
centre of the lower tank. The flame of this is regulated 
according to the judgment of the attendant, who keeps it as 
near to 102° F. as he can. 

In careful hands machines of this general character give 
very good results, and, the body of water being large, the 
changes occur slowly, and less constant attention is required 
than might be supposed, except when the temperature of the 
room is subject to very sudden and great changes. In fact, 
when such extraordinary changes occur, all the incubators 
need watching, and often blanketing or special attention. 



No part of an ordinary dwelling is so good as the cellar to 
set the incubator in. Here the temperature varies but little 
between day and night, and between one day, when the ther- 
mometer may stand at fifty-five, and the next, when it may 
sink to zero — a change which not unfrequently occurs several 
times in each winter in the Northern States, and which all 
other parts of th« house feel more or less. 

BROODERS OR ARTIFICIAL MOTHERS 

After the chicks are hatched and have been for a while 
in the Nursery, so that they are well dried off and have begun 
to be lively and active, say from two to twelve hours after 
hatching, they should be removed to the brooder. Of these 
artificial mothers there are many kinds. Each maker of 



192 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

incubators has one, and they are usually good. Whether the 
eggs are hatched in an incubator or by a hen, it is best for 
the chicks to be soon removed and raised in the artificial 
brooder. Parasitic vermin quickly pass from the hens to the 
chickens, and are the cause of many losses and always of lack 
of thrift. The artificial brooder, if kept tolerably clean, keeps 
the chicks perfectly free from lice, gapes and similar evils. 

The fault of many who use the brooders is that they keep 
the chicks too much confined in them. The brooders should 
oe set in very cold weather on the earth-floor or deeply sanded 
floor of some close room or shed with a warm southern expos- 
ure and plenty of light. The floor of a cold grapery is an 
excellent place. As soon as the weather is such as will admit 
of the brooder being set out-of-doors — that is, as soon as the 
frost is out of the ground in the spring — a small enclosure 
should be made of wire netting and the brooder placed within 
it. Then the chicks, being allowed perfect freedom by day 
to run in and out of the brooder, will do much better than 
when in-doors. This is true even during cold snaps when the 
ground freezes hard, or when there is a considerable fall of 
snow. Care must be taken, however, that there shall always 
be sufficient warmth w T ithin the brooder, especially at night. 
In fact, on sunshiny days there is rarely need of any heat at 
all by day after the little flock is ten days old. — W. 



Rearing — -Natural and Artificial. 193 



CHAPTER XVII. 

REARING NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL* 

Size of Eggs — Supposed Ways of Testing Sex and Fertility of Eggs — Formation 
of Egg — The Young Chicks — First Day after Hatching— Food — Coops — 
Influence of Early Management— Co Idling Injurious — First Three or 
Four Days — Second Stage — The Run— Food— Meat Diet— Green Food — 
System in Feeding, — Cold Mothers -Troubles with Hens — Artificial Mothers 
—Management— Outdoor Rearers— Heat— Overcrowding— Teaching Chicks 
to Eat — Turkeys as Rearers. —Water— Milk. 

There is a great variety in the size of eggs laid by the 
different breeds of domestic poultry, but, the size of the egg 
is very little indication of the size of the fowl which it will 
produce. Of course Bantams lay much smaller eggs than 
ordinary fowls, and ducks much larger ones ; but, if we take 
the Spanish tribe, which are almost the smallest in size of 
body, save only Bantams and Hamburghs, they have almost 
the largest egg of any; whereas, on the other hand, 
Brahmas and Cochins, which are the largest fowls, have very 
much smaller eggs than any other domestic fowls, except 
those already named. Doubtless, they are very rich in quality, 
whilst the Spanish are rather dry ; but, what we have said, 
shows that the size of fowl and the size of egg have no regular 
relationship, and, therefore, larger eggs than those usually 
laid by the fowls should not be selected for hatching. Very 
large eggs are generally double yolked and unfertile, or, 
if fertile, produce mal-formed chicks. The best, and ooly 



194 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

safe plan, is to select ordinary-sized, smooth-shelled, and good 
shaped eggs, refusing such as are abnormal in any way. 
We have heard it stated that long and pointed eggs produce 
cock birds, and that short, round eggs produce hens ; but 
the belief upon which this supposition rests, is so wanting in 
proof, and the opposite has been so often shown, that it must 
be dismissed as incorrect. We have also heard that eggs 
laid before noon produce hens, and after that time of day 
cocks, the promulgator of this extraordinary theory declaring 
that he has proved its truth scores of times ; but this must 
be dismissed as nonsense. It has been also said, and with a 
greater measure of probability, that the fertility of eggs can 
be told by placing the broad end to the mouth, and breathing 
upon it. If the egg feels cold, it is unfertile ; but if it is 
warm, or, to describe it more accurately, appears to give 
back warmth, it has been impregnated. The reason for this 
is stated to be, that a fertile egg contains the germ of life, 
and that there cannot be life without heat ; therefore, the egg 
does not absorb the same amount of heat when breathed 
upon, as when an unfertile, and, consequently, entirely cold 
egg is tested. We have known many instances where this 
test has been applied, and the eggs selected accordingly, with 
the result that they have turned out as marked, when placed 
in an incubator; but, we have known other instances, where 
it has not been found so reliable, and we cannot, therefore, 
state that the test is an entirely safe one. It is a fact, how- 
ever, that after eggs have been in process of incubation for 
ten or twelve days, and are exposed to the atmosphere for 
five minutes, the living and the dead ones can easily be 
distinguished, if held in the hand. The former are as warm 
as when the hen was on them, whilst the latter are quite 
cold, or very nearly so. 

The formation of an egg is truly a wonderful process, 
and puts the poor, weak inventions of man into the shade 



Rearing — Natural and A rtificial. 1 9 5 

The yolk, which contains the germ, when detached from the 
ovary, finds its way to the oviduct, and is there coated in 
succession with numerous thin layers of white — which is 
largely composed of albumen. It has the chalazas — which 
hold the yolk in position, and are known as the portion 
which cooks take out when beating up an egg — fixed, is then 
lovered with the two outer membranes or skins, and, finally, 
before being voided, is covered with the shell. The white is 
the matter from which the chick is formed, when the germ of 
life is present, and the egg subjected to the proper conditions. 
The yolk-bag contains the food of the chick, and, during the 
process of incubation, this bag hardens, and is absorbed with 
its contents into the stomach of the bird, shortly before it 
emerges from the shell. Thus, by a bountiful provision of 
nature, no food is needed by the chick during the first twenty- 
four hours of its existence, and giving any food during that 
time, is not only useless, but positively injurious, so that no 
attempt should be made to force the birds to eat. Young 
poultry keepers often get anxious, because the food put down 
during the first day is not eaten, but for the reason just 
stated, there is no need to have any fears on that account, 
and the appetite will come in proper time, for which patience, 
must be exercised. Another custom is observed by some per- 
sons, which is a useless one, namely, the giving of a pepper- 
corn to the newly-hatched chick ; but, unaware as we are of 
the reason advanced for this custom, it is not based upon 
experience or upon common sense, and we can only charac- 
terise it as " an old wives' fable." A still more foolish 
custom is occasionally found, which deserves the strongest 
condemnation, namely, that of tearing off the hard scale found 
on the beaks of all young chicks — so placed to euable them to 
break through the shell — and putting it down the throat of 
the bird. This is not only without anything to recommend 
it, but is, at the same time, cruel and barbarous, and also 



196 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

unnecessary, as the scale naturally falls off after a few days. 
Possibly, if we could trace it, this custom originated in some 
old superstition, born in an age when there was a charm in 
cruelty, or, when no thought was given to the sufferings of 
those who were weak and defenceless. 

When the process of hatching is entirely over, and all the 
birds are out, it is better not to disturb the hen, after having 
given her a good feed, for twenty to twenty-four hours, when 
some hard-boiled egg, chopped fine, mixed with an equal 
quantity of bread crumbs, and slightly moistened with milk, 
should be given to both the hen and her brood. The best 
plan for making the bread crumbs is to get a sieve, about 
ten or twelve inches in diameter, and of a moderately fine 
mesh. This, in use, is turned upside down, and bread rubbed 
through with the hands, in which way, if the loaf is not too 
new, nice even crumbs will be made very rapidly. When 
giving the first feed, it is best to put the food upon a board 
in front of the nest, and the hen and chickens placed near it, 
when the tapping of the hen's beak will be sufficient to attract 
the attention of the chicks, and they will soon begin to feed. 
No more than they eat readily should be given, and any 
that is left ought to be removed at once, for the best rule for 
feeding chicks is, little and often. Only sufficient should be 
moistened to serve two or three times ; and, when the weather 
is cold or wet, a pinch of stimulating powder will be very 
beneficial. Clean water in clean dishes must be given, or, 
what is better, warmed milk ; but shallow dishes or saucers 
should be used, or the birds may get drowned. We once 
bought some dishes which were made with a series of rings 
or ridges on the upper side, so that the birds could not 
possibly come to any harm, and the quantity of water which 
each held was, so small that they had to be refilled twice or 
thrice a day. But small fountains, with a cup at one side, 
are even better than these, for the birds can drink out of 



The Hen Coop. 197 

them, but cannot stand or get into them. They are made 
both in ware and zinc, and can be obtained at reasonable 
prices. 

After the hen and her brood have had their first feed, they 
should be removed to a coop, either placed in a shed (such 
as we have before described), or in some warm, dry, sheltered 
spot, where the sun will reach. A lawn, a meadow, a wood, 
or, in fact, any place that is grassy, and, what we have said, 
will answer ; but it must be away from the ordinary hens, 
as they are very apt, from jealous motives, to interfere with 
chickens ; and, for the same reason, coops must not be too 
near each other, without some provision to prevent the hens 
fighting, which will not be to the advantage of the young 
broods. Coops of all patterns, shapes, and sizes can be 
obtained, but if cheapness be desired more than appearance, 
a box or a barrel is capable of being made into a good coop, 
by any one handy with tools. The things to be sought for 
in a coop are — that it shall be dry above and below, ventilated, 
but free from draughts, easily moved about, having laths or 
bars at the front, so that the chicks can get out and in, but 
not the hen, and have a folding shutter, so that the whole 
can be closed up at night. If the ground be dry and sandy 
in its nature, or, when the coop is in the shed, there need be 
no floor, as the straw used will be sufficient ; but, if it be at 
all damp or cold, a wooden floor should be used. A flour 
barrel, which can be bought for a quarter., will make two 
good coops, if the head be fix^d on and the barrel itself sawn 
in two. Laths can then be nailed on to the only open part, 
constituting it the front, and two or three staves can be taken 
out of the under sides, so that there will be no floor, or it 
can be raised up above the ground by wooden feet or bricks, 
which should always be done when a wooden floor is used. 
Thus in a very simple manner can a capital coop be made, 
and at little cost; but if something better is needed any 

o 



198 



Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



joiner can make one to look nice, or there are plenty sold 
both at low and high prices. We like those best that have 
floors separate to facilitate cleaning, and nailed on to two 
pieces of scantling, the floor fitting inside the coop, and the 
two sides of the latter resting upon the scantling, for by this 
means all chance of the wet getting in is obviated. Fig. 10 
is a capital example of one of these. If the coops cannot 
be put very wide apart, it is better to use wire runs, as these 
prevent the chicks wandering away and getting mixed with 
other broods. In fact, it is always better to use a run for 




Fig. 10. — Chicken ".'oop. 



the first week, if the coop is outside, moving it to fresh ground 
every day, but after then, if there is plenty of ground, the 
run can be dispensed with, and the hen allowed to be out 
also, at least for a few hours in the day. 

The growing stage in the life of young chickens, as 
in children, is the time that very largely controls their 
size and stamina, and therefore much depends upon 
the method of treatment during such growth. Unless 
there is a good supply of nutritious food, the strain upon 
the system will not be provided for, and the chicken soon 



Feeding Young Chicks. 199 

dies, or, grows up a weedy, stunted thing, of no use to 
any one. We must not be thought from this to be 
advocating pampering or coddling, for we do not believo 
in such a system ; but, there is a way of feeding well in 
which there is no pampering, and as to coddling, whilst wo 
certainly think that the young chicks should be protected 
from the severe storms, it is much better to put them out 
of doors — except in severe weather — as soon as they are a 
week or ten days old. This, of course, does not apply to 
very early hatched chicks, for, as they are brought into the 
world at an unseasonable period, they need special treatment, 
and must be kept in such a house as we have already 
described. There is another advantage also, in giving them 
liberty, and that is, they can find grubs and worms, which, 
it must be remembered, are their natural food. But on these 
topics we have already said all that is needed. 

For the first three or four days, it is better to continue the 
egg and bread crumbs, of which the hen should be allowed 
a share, as it is necessary to get up the tone of her system, 
which, naturally, is much reduced during sitting, in order 
that she may begin to lay as soon as she gives up her charge : 
otherwise, if she is not well fed, there may several weeks 
elapse before she does this, and thus " penny wise " will be 
11 pound foolish." The chicks require to be fed as soon after 
daylight as possible, and at intervals of two hours until the 
evening ; a final meal to be given by candle-light, about ten 
o'clock at night. If it is not possible to be up so early in the 
morning as this may appear to require, a little canary seed 
should be left overnight, where the birds can get it as soon 
as they are astir ; but this will not take the place of warm 
food and fresh milk, so that it must not be made an excuse 
for idleness. A bad riser is certain to be behind with his 
chicks — all other things being equal — compared with one 
who is a good getter up. 

2 



200 Profilablc Poultry Keeping* 

Inexperienced poultry keepers are vow apt to make a groat 
mistake in rearing chickens, by neglecting those a month old 
and upwards, for the younger broods. The reason of this is 
not difficult to realise, for, it is thought that the birds, having 
got so far in safety, are able to look after themselves, and 
do not require the same amount of attention as the younger 
ones ; whereas, the fact really is, that the birds at the age 
mentioned, need actually more care than they ever did 
before, or will again. Doctors tell parents that boys and girls 
in their teens need more support than at any other time. 
So it is with chicks ; and neglect at this period is attended 
with very serious results, more birds being lost then, than at 
any other stage of their growth. The cause is, that the down 
or nest-feathers, which have enveloped the body, are hoing 
shed, and the full-grown feathers taking their place, thus 
causing a continual drain upon the system ; it is, in fact, a 
first moult, and there is not the same strength to meet it as is 
found in adult birds. Extra warmth, additional nourishment, 
and careful feeding, are all most important to the well-being 
of the chick, and undue exposure to cold or wot will be very 
dangerous, and ought to be guarded against. Of course, 
some breeds are hardier than others, and get through this 
stage much more easily, but the strongest need such care as 
we have indicated. In fine open weather the feeding will bo 
the great point requiring attention, but, in bad weather, it 
will be a good plan to put the coop inside the chicken-house. 

When the coop is outside it is better to have a wire run 
for the chicks, though this can be discarded after the first 
week, and the birds allowed to run about freely. At the end 
of another week the hen may be allowed out also ; but sho 
must be kept within an enclosure, or be watched, for, if left 
alone, she will probably lead them away too far, and tax their 
strength more than they can bear. For food, oatmeal, 
Spratt's, or Chamberlin's prepared meals, may be given 



CJioice of Food, 20 r 

alternately, frith some crashed hempseed, which, when they 
are three weeks old, can be Substituted by dari or buckwheat, 
both of which, and the latter especially, make capital chicken 
foods. Some correspondence has appeared In poultry journals 
of late, in which the rearing of chicks on grain alone was 
advocated, and some writers stated, an their experience, that 
it is better than soft foods. Wo believe too much pampering 
does takes place, but, at the same time, we think that, for early 
broods especially, these warm, nutritions foods are ofimmense 
service* Rice is a food which chicks arc wonderfully 
fond of, if properly prepared ; bat us it is entirely deficient 
in bone-forming qualities, some hour: meal should be mixed 

with it, or leg weakness will probably ensue. The host way 

to prepare it is, to put a pint of poultry rice Into three pints 
of water, and allow it to simmer (not boil), on the .stove or 
side of tin; kitchen fire, for a couple of hours, when it will 
be found that the rice will have swollen out and absorbed all 

the water. If the soil upon which the chicks are kept, 
contains plenty of worms and slugs, it can ho dug up a little, 

and there will be no need to provide any animal food ; but if 

it is sandy, or the birds are kept in a confined Space, then 
some provision must bo made in this way. Dead fowls come 

in \caj useful for the generation of gentles, and should ho 

allowed to hang a few days, when thousands of fresh flies' 
eggs will have been deposited. If buried in the run the 
maggots will soon begin to show themselves, much to the 
advantage of its inmates; though upon no account should 
a diseased fowl be used in this way. Green food should also 
applied, and can take any form that is most convenient. 
Grass is, of course, to he desired, hut not cut grass, if any- 
thing better can be ^ r ot. Lettuces, cabbages, and, in fact, 
any garden stuff of this nature may be ^iven ; and we know 
of one of the largest breeders in the kingdom, who puts down, 
in his chicken run, a barrowful of lettuce:; every morning, 



202 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

and he declares that he would never be able to raise such 
fowls as he does, were it not for this. A spare corner of the 
garden may very profitably be set on one side for growing 
lettuces, and a plentiful supply thus secured. 

There can be no question that the best system which can 
•be adopted in feeding chickens is little and often. For the 
first fortnight they ought to be fed every two hours, for the 
next month every three hours, and after that, until they reach 
maturity, four times a day. As already stated, the first food 
should be given as soon after daylight as possible, and the 
plan, or rather want of plan in some yards, of allowing 
chicks to run about three or four hours before getting their 
first meal, is calculated to do more harm than most people 
think of. The leaving of seed overnight is better than 
nothing, but a warm meal is very much to be preferred. 
In large yards, where the food takes some time to prepare, 
the following system, which w T e saw recommended some time 
ago, may be adopted with advantage : — Get a square wooden 
box, strongly made of thick wood, and line this out with felt, 
or felt carpeting — sides, bottom, and lid, so that the centre 
compartment may only be about one-fourth the size of 
the box itself, the dimensions of which must be regulated by 
the requirements of the owner. Last thing at night, half 
cook some food in a tin kettle or pan w T ith lid, made to fit the 
centre of the box, and put kettle and food just as it is into it. 
Then close the box, and next morning the food wall be found 
perfectly cooked, and quite hot, whenever opened. By this 
means, all the trouble consequent upon lighting a fire and 
getting water to boil will be obviated, and the chicks can be 
fed as soon as any one is astir, at least half an hour before 
food could be prepared for them. The last feed at night 
should be given about an hour before dusk, except to the 
birds less than a month old, who need a feed by candle- 
light, and this feed must consist of grain, as it takes longer 



Separation of Brood from Hen. 203 

to digest than meal, and, consequently, keeps up the warmth 
much longer than soft food would. Intermediate meals 
should be varied, and it is a good plan to try and change the 
food as much as possible, as by this means the appetite is 
tempted and growth encouraged. A bad feeder can never be 
anything but a bad thriver, and, change of diet by tempting 
the appetite, is the best method of inducing the birds to eat 
heartily. Overfeeding must, however, be carefully avoided, 
and food should be removed as soon as the birds are satisfied, 
never being allowed to stand about. 

When the chicks are about six to eight weeks old, the hen 
will begin to get restless and neglect them, when she should 
at once be returned to the laying house, and the chicks then 
put into a separate house and run. If the weather is at all 
cold or stormy, cold mothers may be provided, or, if not, 
broad shelves covered with dry sand or earth will answer best. 
These cold mothers are simply wooden frames across which 
canvas is stretched, and on the underside of this canvas, strips 
of flannel, or thin felt, is stitched, so that when raised up or 
fitted into grooved ends, the chickens get under and are 
protected from the cold. Generally, however, there is no need 
for anything of this kind, as the hen remains long enough 
with her brood, to enable them to do without further pro- 
tection ; but, as we stated at the beginning of this chapter, 
care and attention are specially necessary at this stage of 
a chicken's existence ; it is better to be on the safe side, 
and, as there is no artificial heat in a mother such as we 
have described, there the birds are not coddled by the use 
of it. Plenty of room should also be given, and we prefer, 
whenever possible, to divide our chickens, which can easily be 
done by means of the movable poultry-houses, recommended 
in the chapter dealing with the subject. The older chicks are 
very prone to ill-treat the younger ones, and it is for the sake 
of these latter, as well as to prevent overcrowding, that we 



204 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

adopt this plan. The giving of room allows the chicks to 
run and fly about, which develops their wing and breast 
muscles, keeps them in health, and assists their growth. 
Nothing is more miserable than to see chickens, from a 
month to three months old, cooped up in a small run. No 
wonder they grow slowly, and are always small and stunted in 
appearance. 

As we have given a detailed acount tf the various incuba- 
tors now offered for sale, together with a brief history of the 
question of artificial incubation itself, it is necessary that we 
should say something about artificial rearing, for one would 
naturally appear to depend upon the other. All poultry keepers 
have at some period been troubled with bad sitters, and, 
also, with clumsy, negligent mothers, the latter especially, 
being very annoying. It is, doubtless, very provoking to have 
a setting of eggs spoiled, but it is even more annoying, when 
they have been hatched, and the chicks are running about 
strong and lively, to find some crushed to death, and others 
dying for want of proper attention from the hen. Hence 
many attempts have been made, to solve the problem of rear- 
ing by artificial means. 

These artificial mothers were in use by a few persons, a 
considerable time before incubators arrived at anything like 
their present stage of perfection, and, as might naturally be 
expected, they are now very largely used. At first the makers 
of incubators fitted them to their machines, but this, we 
believe, helped to make the latter even more unsuccessful 
than they otherwise might have been, for when any chickens 
were brought out, they were necessarily kept in runs a foot 
or two square, and, of course, indoors, so that in a few days 
they died off, from want of fresh air and proper exercise. 
The first step towards success was in the separation alto- 
gether of the mother from the incubator, and they have, 
since this has been done, been found most successful. At 



Incubators. 205 

first sheepskins were used, with the wool downwards, and 
ahove the skin there was a hot-water tank, but the chickens 
were very often hung in the wool, and they, therefore, never 
became really popular. The first to win anything like 
popular favour, was a contrivance similar to the one just 
named, but, with the important exception, that flannel strips 
were used instead of the sheepskin, and, as there were capital 
arrangements made for heating, ventilating, and cleaning, 
much real success was attained by it. The present writer 
reared large numbers of chickens during several seasons in 
these machines ; and, as at that time the incubators were 
unsatisfactory, hens were used for hatching, but, as the 
artificial system of rearing presented so many advantages 
over the natural one, the chicks were taken from the hens, 
when a day old, and placed in the artificial mother. The 
demand for these mothers was but small, and that kept up 
the price, so that only a few persons went in for them. 

When incubators a few years ago became more easily 
worked, there came with the demand for them, one also for 
the mothers, especially as many who might have thought it 
cruel to separate the hen and her chickens, could have no 
such feelings with respect to machine-hatched birds, and all 
the makers of the former have been compelled to provide the 
latter also. These are generally made very similar, both in 
appearance and methods of working. There are, therefore, 
the hydro or hot water mothers, and, also, those in which there 
is a continuous burning lamp ; but, whilst we in great measure 
prefer the former method for incubators, the mothers upon 
this system are rather troublesome when kept out in the 
open, as boiling water has to be carried to them twice or 
thrice a day, and this, in many cases, involves an amount of 
trouble which becomes a serious burden. To obviate the diffi- 
culty, some of the hydro-mothers have a lamp and circulating 
boiler fitted to them, so that by lighting the former, for an 



206 



Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



hour or two every day, the heat is kept up. This is much to 
be preferred to the other plan, and saves unnecessary trouble, 
but the lamp must be so protected so as not to be easily blown 
out. One of the best mothers we know of, is made by Messrs. 
Tomlinson & Co., Birmingham, Eug., called "The AVinged 
Brooder." It is fitted with a continuous burning lamp, so 
arranged that it can scarcely be affected by wind, or anything 
else, outside. At the sides are flaps or wings closing in at 




THE "ACME" IN-DOOR REARERc 

Fig. 11. — Owen's "Acme" In-door Rearer. 

night, and it can be fitted with outside cover and runs, so 
that, altogether, it is a most useful appliance. Another 
very good one, of which Fig. 11 is an illustration, is that 
made by Mr. John Owen, of the Minories, London. This 
is provided with a lamp and has a covered run. It can 
also be fitted with a cover so that it can be used in the open. 
Mr. Jas. Watson, of Kilwinning, Scotland, has a very good 
one also, and all the other makers send out mothers more or 
less near to our ideal. 

At first it was the custom to keep the mothers in houses 
or sheds, but that was found to be a bad plan. It may be advi- 
sable to do this for the first few days, and hence the value of 
a small chicken nursery made by Messrs. Tomlinson and Co., 
but we do not approve of the plan for older birds. Chicks 
need, and must have, plenty of fresh air, and the only shelters 



Out-door "Rearers" 207 

we should use, after they are a week old, except very early in 
the season, are the covers sold with most machines, which 
protect the mothers from wet, and give the birds a dry run. 
This is shown in the Christy out- door rearers (fig. 12). 
These, as will be seen, have wooden sides and glass tops, and 




Fig. 12. — Christy's Out-door Rearer. 

can have wooden floors, or not, as may be desired. They 
have doors, so that the chickens can be allowed out or kept 
in, as the attendant may think best, and generally are easily 
moved about, so that the birds may have fresh ground every 
day. During the first week the chicks should be kept in the 
chicken house, but after that, unless the weather be excep- 
tionally severe, they are much better outside. The run 
should always be dry below and changed every day, with 
fresh sand or dry earth thickly covering the floor, if it be a 
wooden one. Pure air and cleanliness are essential to success, 
and, for this reason, the mother should every day be lifted out 
of its place, so that all vapours and foul air can get away, and, 



2o8 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

at the same time, the whole should be thoroughly cleaned. 
Where there is flannel for the chicks to nestle amongst, this 
should be taken out and purified, by having plenty of dry 
earth well shaken through it. The heat also needs to be 
well looked after, as many poultry keepers make a great mis- 
take in having their machines too hot, which is a much 
greater evil than a little cold would be. Mothers should never 
be allowed to go above 80 degs., and, except in summer, 
below 65 degs., but the margin between these two is sufficient 
for the variations of the weather. It is true that the chicks 
will not get so close to the tank, if hotter, but too much heat 
makes them tender, and it is to be remembered, that the heat 
from their own bodies increases the temperature, so that in 
summer if the mother was 80 degs. before they went into it, 
it would probably be ten or fifteen degs. higher after they had 
been in for a time. The best test is to put the hand against 
the bottom of the tank, when it may be accepted as all right 
if just warm and comfortable, but if the hand cannot be kept 
against the metal it is too hot. Overcrowding is also very 
dangerous, aui we would not be inclined to put more than 
forty chicks a week old, or twenty-five above that age, into 
one machine. Nor is it wise to keep them in it too long ; 
for, if healthy and strong, they may, when five or six weeks 
old, be transferred to the cold mother, which, as we have 
already described, is simply one without any water tank or 
heating arrangements. The state of the weather and the 
strength of the birds will, however, largely decide this 
question. As to teaching the birds to eat, which the hen 
does, this only needs to be done with the first brood. The 
way to proceed is to put some food on a piece of board, 
and tap the same with a pencil or piece of stick, to which 
imitation of the hen's pecking the chicks will readily answer. 
Later broods can have an older chick put with them, and it 
will in this respect act a maternal part. 



Hatching under Ttirkeys. 209 

In many parts of France, turkeys are very largely used for 
the hatching and rearing of chickens, the advantage of these 
birds being their docility, their capability for covering a large 
number of eggs, and caring for a large number of chickens. 
It is no uncommon sight to see turkeys, with fifty or sixty 
chicks, being driven in the morning to a wood adjacent to the 
residence of their owner, where they are left all day in 
charge of decrepit old women or young children. In some 
instances, the chicks have been hatched in incubators, but 
this is generally in those districts where there are hatching 
factories, if we may use the term, at which places egg hatch- 
ing is conducted on a large scale, the peasants taking their 
eggs to be incubated, and paying a percentage of the chickens 
for the trouble. But in England, also, many persons have used 
turkeys with very good results. There are, however, several 
things necessary to make this plan a success. In the first place, 
it is necessary to have ground enough, as putting a turkey with 
half a hundred chicks upon a small piece of land would be 
a failure, for there would not be moving room, and the ground 
would soon get contaminated. But, on the other hand, if an 
unlimited run be given, the turkey must be watched, or she 
will lead the chicks astray and overtax their strength. It 
is true she may be cooped, but after the first ten days this is 
not advisable, and the best plan is to keep her in a fenced 
run. Where this can be done, turkeys will be found to answer 
admirably, but, of course, the houses or coops used for 
them need to be well ventilated and roomy ; especially so, 
in fact, because of the larger number of birds to be kept 
therein. They are very easily managed, and the way to get 
one to take charge of a brood, is to allow it to sit on potatoes 
for a few days, and then the chicks may be put under her 
at night. We have seldom known one refuse accepting a 
charge of this kind ; but, in order to be on the safe side, it is 
as well to put only a few in at first If she attempts to 



210 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

injure them, they must he removed, hut if not, all may he 
given to her, and she will he delighted to have so large a 
family, nursing them in most respects better than an ordinary 
hen would or even could. When this system of rearing is 
adopted, special care will have to he given to the weakly 
ones, and any so found, should at once be removed where 
they will not be crowded, and can have individual attention. 
When the birds are a month old, if of a strong, hardy breed, 
the largest may be removed to a cold mother, and this will 
give more room to the rest. As soon as all appear to be 
grown enough, they may be taken away and a fresh batch 
given to the turkey, which will rear a couple of hundred in 
a season in this way without the least objection. 

From first to last the necessity for drink should never be 
forgotten. Water is the natural drink of all poultry. It 
should be pure and fresh, the drinking vessels being filled 
at least daily, and, whenever filled, carefully emptied and 
cleansed. There are numerous convenient forms of drink- 
ing fountains, but in the use of them there is a constant 
temptation for the attendant to neglect to empty them, but 
to simply fill them afresh. These should never be used for 
milk, which is excellent for chickens and fowls of all ages ; 
but this should be presented in shallow pans, so protected 
that the chicks cannot get into them. 



Food and Feeding. 2 1 1 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

FOOD AND FEEDING. 

Food the Fuel of all Life— Effect of Bad Food — Effect of Over-feediDg — Food for 
Fowls in Confinement not to be same as when at Liberty — "What is Needed in 
Food — Qualities of the Grains — Barley — Oats — Wheat — Maize — Buckwheat 
— Pulse — Rice — Bone-meal— Water. 

The question is often asked, especially by new beginners in 
poultry-keeping, what is the best food for poultry, and the 
matter is of such great importance, that we wish to deal with 
it fully, so that our readers may know what is the best food 
for poultry under the conditions in which their fowls live. 
That food must have a very great influence upon the health 
and success of the birds, will be acknowledged at once by all, 
for it is virtually the fuel which keeps the engine going, and 
any neglect to supply this fuel, or the supplying of improper 
fuel, means that the machine will not work properly, and 
that there will be a great loss of power. This is the case 
with all animals, and the attention which has been paid to 
the question of feeding by scientific men during late }<ears, 
shows that the importance of the matter has been somewhat 
realized. But even yet there is a considerable amount of 
ignorance on the matter, for there are many who appear to 
think that so long as an animal or bird gets plenty of food, 
that is all that the owner need care about ; but this disregard 
to the kind of food so given, to its effect upon the birds 
themselves, and to the conditions under which they labour, 



212 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

is most injurious, for the saying, "What is one man's meat 
is another man's poison," holds good so far as fowls are con- 
cerned, as much as it does for human beings. Feeding upon 
had or unsuitable food must always be very harmful, for, as 
the food is given to repair the waste of the system which 
goes on daily, and the body in its various parts is really 
renewed by the food eaten, it will be seen that this bad food 
naturally brings on diseases, or injures the system by failing 
to supply those elements that are necessary to it. Eating 
to repletion by fowls is generally due to want of system in 
feeding, or the giving of food that is tempting to the appetite 
— probably because of its being rich in its nature — and 
this means that the food will have certain qualities or 
elements in excess, which will, in their turn, develop other 
qualities in the birds, and thus may be positively injurious 
instead of beneficial. There is, perhaps, more harm done by 
the giving of rich and unsuitable food than in any other way, 
and many diseases at one time foreign to fowls have been 
thus made prevalent. How much food should be given has 
already been dealt with, in the chapter on " The selection of 
stock birds, " and we need not repeat it here. 

It will be seen that one object in giving food, is to supply 
the daily waste that goes on in the system, for, if the matter 
thus eliminated is not replaced, the bird will soon die from 
exhaustion. The first thing, therefore, is to supply this 
waste, but if only this is done, the bird will be just kept 
alive, no more. As fowls must be regarded as producing 
machines, they have to be supplied with the materials 
necessary for production, or it cannot take place, and we must 
have regard to the elements needed for composing whatever 
is produced, if we wish to do it with the greatest ease, and 
with the least wear and tear to the fowl. But in addition to 
this, we must not forget the conditions under which the 
fowls are kept, for, the activity of the birds, the amount of 



Food and Feeding. 213 

space given to them, and the kind of food they are able to 
obtain for themselves, all of which should guide the selection 
of that given to them. Many persons appear to think, that 
if they give the same food to fowls in confinement that 
they obtain when at liberty, all will be well ; but such is not 
the case. Under the latter circumstances the food consists 
of worms, slugs, and grain, the two former chiefly, and we 
are sure that if the same amount of animal food was given 
to birds in a limited run, that is obtained by those at liberty, 
it would result in disease very speedily. Birds with plenty 
of space are much more active than those in confinement, 
and eliminate surplus matter from the system very rapidly. 
As this elimination means exhaustion of fatty matter chiefly, 
because exercise causes warmth, which is the result of a 
consumption of oil in the body, fat- forming foods can with 
advantage be given to such fowls ; whereas, on the other 
hand, birds that are in confinement do not consume the oil 
so rapidly, and if as much fat-forming food is given to them, 
it cannot be used, but will clog up the machine, storing the 
fat by laying it on internally, and this storage will be found 
an evil instead of a benefit. The great chemist, Liebig, 
used to say that all fat was a disease, and that it should not 
be allowed under any circumstances; but, whilst we are 
not able to accept this statement fully, for it must be 
remembered that a slight reserve of fat is beneficial as a 
reservoir of heat, yet there can be little doubt, that if this fat 
is not consumed before any more is stored up, and one layer 
piled upon another, then it takes the form of disease. It 
is not a pleasant thought, but, nevertheless, it is a fact, that 
what we are accustomed to consider ripeness or tenderness. 
is but the first stage of decay. For instance, a piece of meat 
may be rather hard if cooked soon after the animal has 
been killed, but if kept a few days will become tender. We 
do not for one moment wish to argue that such " tender " 

p 



214 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

meat is injurious, for, on the contrary, if not tainted it is 
much easier to digest, and better in every way than newly- 
killed meat ; but we are using the fact simply as an illustra- 
tion of our point, namely, that fat, unless soon consumed, is 
of itself a tendency to disease, 

In addition to what we have already said, namely, that the 
conditions under which the birds are kept must be considered, 
the object for which they are fed needs to be regarded also. 
The various foods have many different qualities, some grains 
being well balanced, and others having an excess of one or 
two elements. Thus it is necessary to consider what is the 
object in view, for it will be obviously manifest to all, that 
foods which may be useful for one purpose will be useless for 
another. Thus where eggs are to be produced, for which 
many elements are needed, chiefly albumen and oil, with no 
one element greatly in excess, then a well-balanced food is 
needed. But where birds are being fattened for killing, 
then it is best to give foods which contain a large quantity 
of llcsh or fat-forming qualities, as these cause the plumpness 
which is so desirable in table fowls, and where such foods are 
not given, then if the birds do get into good condition, there 
must be a large waste of unneeded qualities before this can 
be secured. And when chickens are being reared, it is most 
desirable that they should have food which will develop bone 
and muscle, not merely fat, except when intended to be early 
killed for the table, for birds fed upon flesh-forming foods 
only, have not strength of frame to support the flesh, and 
though they may thrive for a time, will soon die oil' for want 
of stamina. Birds forced too much go back in the same way, 
and, therefore, forcing should only be employed with birds 
intended to be killed early. 

What is required in the food given to fowls, is well 
described by Mr. Tegetmeier in his Poultry book, when he 
rays : — " To supply the materials required for the growth of 



Requisite Constituents of Food. 2 t 5 

young animals and for the formation of eggs, as well as 
those required to repair the waste arising from the move- 
ments of the living body, a second variety of food is required 
(in addition to warmth-giving foods), for the starch and other 
substances before enumerated cannot supply these wants. 
Substances possessing this power are termed flesh-forming 
food. The most important are the gluten, and similar sub- 
stances, existing in variable quantities in different grains ; 
in large proportions in the varieties of pulse, as beans, peas, 
&c. ; and in the materials which form the solid parts of the 
flesh of animals, of eggs, of milk, &c. In consequence of 
these substances containing the element nitrogen, which is 
wanting in the other varieties of food, they are frequently 
termed nitrogenous foods ; whilst the fat-forming and 
warmth-giving are called carbonaceous foods. The mineral 
and the saline substances contained in the bones, and in other 
parts of the bodies of animals, occur in larger proportion in 
the bran than in the inner part of the grain. A due supply 
of bone-making and saline materials is absolutely requisite 
to the growth of a healthy animal ; as if wanting in the 
food, the bones become soft and the general health speedily 
fails. " It will thus be seen that what is required in a well- 
balanced food, are qualities for warmth-giving, flesh-forming, 
fat, or oil, and bone-making ; but, as there are few foods which 
are so balanced, and at the same time as foods are required 
for special purposes, such as chicken-rearing and fattening, 
only those foods suitable should be used, or a combination 
of them. 

By examination the qualities of the various foods have 
been abundantly proved. If we take barley, one of the com- 
monest grains given to poultry, we find that it contains a 
very small quantity of fat or oil, has IB per cent, of flesh- 
forming properties, 55} per cent, of warmth-giving, and 4 
per cent, of bone-making substances. It is, therefore, most 

p 2 



2t6 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

suitable for rearing purposes, and for egg production, though 
in cold weather some food with more fat in it should be 
given, so as to make up for the deficiency in this respect ; but 
in summer this is not necessary, and then barley is one of 
the best foods we have for the purposes named, whether 
whole or ground. If used in the latter way, care must be 
taken to have the meal good, pure, and freshly ground, for 
often it is made of inferior grain, or the good meal is mixed 
with some other stuff to cheapen it. The pure can 
easily be told, as it is rough, and there is not much fine dust 
about it. 

We come next to oats, which are, perhaps, the best 
balanced of all the grains, having 6 per cent, of fat or 
oil, 15 per cent, of flesh-forming, 47 per cent, of warmth- 
giving, and 2 per cent, of bone-making properties. The husk 
or fibre is extremely great, bein<* 90 ner cent, of the whole. 
Oats are not, however, very m^ d, as only the best 

kinds are relished by the fowls, au these are somewhat 
expensive. Poor kinds, such as are known as long or Tartar 
oats, are not good food, and contain more husk than anything 
else, which, though good in its place and in proper quantities, 
is not of much use. Provided the best oats are ground up, 
husks and all, they make an admirable food ; but we have 
commonly found great difficulty in obtaining these ground 
oats, and millers do not appear willing to take the trouble 
involved in the making of this meal, especially as so little is 
used. Oatmeal is of a different nature to either whole or 
ground oats, for the process it undergoes on the kiln, and 
the removal of the husk, gives it different qualities. It is, 
however, splendid for chickens, and for fattening purposes, 
and a fowl fed upon it makes splendid eating. 

The chief of all the grains, wheat, is not much used for 
fowls, except on farms where there is plenty on hand, for it 
is an expensive food. There are, however, large quantities of 



Grain Food. 2 1 7 

shrunken wheat, the screenings from the better and perfect 
grain, used ; and also the smaller and inferior samples. 
The best contains 3 per cent, of fat, 12 per cent, of flesh- 
forming, 70 per cent, of warmth-giving, and 2 per cent, of 
bone-making properties, with very little husk or fibre, and 
it is, therefore, one of the best winter foods for general 
purposes, though not suitable for fattening. It may be 
interesting to many of our readers to learn that the small 
wheat, or screenings, is, as a rule, better for poultry feeding 
than the best quality of grain, as it is richer in flesh-forming 
qualities than is the other. When ground up for poultry 
feeding, the meal so made should be mixed with some other 
kind, such as barley meal or ground oats, as it is rather too 
stiff and pasty when the water is added to it, if given alone, 
but if so mixed this will be prevented. 

Indian corn, or maize. is_ a food which has always been 
employed in this cc ^,efly because of its cheapness, 

for it is undoubtedly, £ . lias been, the cheapest of all grains. 
It has more fat or oil than any other, namely, 8 per cent. ; 
it has also 12 per cent, of flesh-forming, 65 per cent, of 
warmth-giving, and 1 per cent, of bone-making qualities ; so 
that its tendency is to lay on fat, and the want of bone-form- 
ing substances makes it by no means a well-balanced food, 
except for fattening purposes. The free or exclusive use of 
it often does harm, as it promotes the formation of internal 
fat, which soon checks laying, and, if long-continued, induces 
apoplexy and probably diseases of the internal organs. It is, 
however, an admirable fattening food, but, when used for 
this purpose, should be ground and swelled with scalding 
water and fed in alternation with whole corn or some other 
grain. It is admirable for feeding whole to all kinds of poul- 
try for the night feed, especially in cold weather, as it digests 
slowly and keeps them warm all night. Corn or cornmeal 
should only be given to laying fowls in cold weather, and even 



2 1 8 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

then ought to be accompanied by three or four times its bulk 
of other kinds of grain or meal, and it should not be fed too 
freely to birds in confinement. All this may appear to be a 
strong condemnation of it, yet it is no more than necessity 
requires, and the undoubted value of the grain in some 
respects, makes such a condemnation all the more needful. 

The food most used on the continent of Europe for fowls 
is buckwheat, which is a most admirable food for laying birds. 
It contains 11 per cent, of oil, and of the other properties, 
1 J per cent, of flesh-forming, 54 per cent, of warmth-giving, 
and 2 per cent, of bone-making substances. It will be seen 
from this that the fattening property is small, but the other 
qualities and its stimulating nature, make it specially suitable 
for laying fowls, and it is equally so whether whole or 
ground. If ground, the husk should not be taken from it, 
for though this does not contain much nutriment, it prevents 
the finer meal becoming stiff and past} 7 , which it would be 
very much inclined to do were it absent. 

All kinds of pulse, such as peas, beans, and tares, are very 
strong in flesh-forming substances, having 2 per cent, of fat 
or oil, 23 J per cent, of flesh-forming, 48 per cent, of warmth- 
giving, and 2 \ per cent, of bone-forming qualities. These 
are not suitable for fowls if given alone, as they are too 
stimulating, and the excess of flesh-forming qualities causes 
a hardening of the muscular fibres, and the flesh produced is 
too hard for eating. In fattening fowls for table use, these 
are found useful to mix with other foods, but alone are not 
to be recommended for the reason already given. 

Rice consists almost entirely of warmth-giving qualities, 
starch forming the chief of all. Of fat or oil there is but a 
trace, of flesh-forming substances but 6J per cent., and of 
bone-forming qualities only J per cent., whilst of the warmth- 
giving qualities there is 75^ per cent. On this account it is 
only suitable for birds being fed for the table, and layers 



Food for Young Chickens, 219 

kept on it do not thrive at all, whilst for chickens not intended 
for early killing, it is one of the worst foods possible. It 
should, therefore, not be used except for the special purpose 
already named by us. Dari, millet, hemp, and other seeds 
are all useful for j'oung chickens, but otherwise are not suit- 
able for fowls. Although not really a poultry food, in the 
sense that birds can be fed on it alone, bonemeal is a most 
useful thing for mixing with such foods as are deficient in 
bone-forming substances. For chicken rearing it is invalu- 
able, and is a great preventive of leg weakness, also being 
very good for adult fowls occasionally. Care must be taken 
to purchase the right kind, made from fresh bones, and not 
the scrapings from the bone-handle makers, which are of no 
use whatever. 

Fowls of all kinds and ages should have access only to pure 
water. Barnyard leachings, water from the kitchen sink, or 
in villages that flowing in gutters and alley-ways are all un- 
wholesome and liable to cause disease. Stagnant water of 
any kind is bad. Fowls should always be supplied with fresh, 
pure water, and the drinking vessels should be easily acces- 
sible for confined fowls in the runs or houses. The drinking 
fountains before mentioned, which are of tin, galvanized iron 
or earthenware, are excellent devices provided they are emp- 
tied, cleansed and rinsed out whenever filled. 



220 Profitable Poultry Keeping* 



CHAPTER XIX. 



EARLY EGGS AND CHICKENS. 



Early Eggs and Chickens bring High Prices — How to Secure Them. — Pullets to 
be Used — Hens to be Mated Earl} — Good Housing and Feeding. 

The first object of every poultry keeper, who wishes to 
succeed in his business, is to have his produce ready for market 
when the commodity is scarce, as, of course, he can get a 
much higher price then than at any other time. This holds 
good in everything, and if we compare the cost of articles 
in season and out of season, it will be seen how large the 
margin is to pay for the additional labour and trouble 
which must be expended in order to obtain the articles 
out of due time. That this labour and trouble is needed, 
no one need doubt for a moment, and the getting of early 
eggs and chickens demands it, but the profit far more than 
compensates. Really fresh eggs can be sold, in many towns, 
from November to March at forty-five to sixty cents a 
dozen, and fine, plump chickens vary from twenty to 
thirty-five cents a pound until May, the highest prices being 
obtained in Eastern cities. We do not mean to say that 
these are the prices actually obtained by the producer, 
for, unfortunately, middle-men take far too large a share 
of the profits ; but, wherever there is a large permanent 
population, customers can always be found for really fresh 
eggs and plump home-fed chickens, and at the best prices. 



Early Eggs and Chickens. 221 

There are also large dairy companies and hotels ready to 
contract for taking fresh eggs all the year round at good 
paying figures ; but in every case, whether the sales he made 
privately or not, there must be the certainty of the eggs 
being fresh. Ordinary (so-called) new-laid eggs, as sold in 
the shops, are generally a week or ten days old at least, 
because they are only sent to market once a week, so that 
probably the freshest ones were laid two or three days before 
that, and others are still older. This uncertainty makes 
eggs really new-laid in constant demand. 

A very frequent complaint amongst poultry keepers, is 
that they can get any number of eggs at the time when 
they are plentiful, and therefore cheap, but when eggs are 
scarce they get few or none. In many instances this is due 
to the unsuitability of the breed ; but we need not say more 
on this question, as it has been dealt with very fully in a 
previous chapter. What is wanted is to keep only those 
birds known as prolific layers, such as Leghorns, Minorcas, 
Houdans, Black Hamburgs, Langshans or Plymouth Bocks. 
Then, again, there is the matter of housing and feeding, both 
of which are most important, and should have the greatest 
attention. We need not, however, say more on this matter 
either, as we have dealt with both these questions before. 
There are people who have the right kind of birds, who 
house and feed them well, and yet who cannot obtain eggs 
very early in the year, and, of course, cannot have early 
chickens, the entire cause being that their birds are too 
old. Birds above two years old do not commence laying 
until the end of February or the beginning of March, no 
matter how good layers they may be, and if only these be 
used, then neither early eggs nor chickens can be expected, 
and certainly will not be obtained. 

Hence it will be seen that to obtain early eggs, only 
young birds, that is pullets of the first or second year, must 



222 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

be used. Birds of the various breeds already named, if 
hatched in March and April, will begin to lay at latest in 
September, October, or November, and will continue to do 
so right through the winter. At first the eggs will be 
small, but will gradually improve in this respect, and 
pullets of the previous year will, if well housed, begin to 
lay about December, and their eggs will be large and well 
formed ; so that the matter, if carefully managed, is not 
very difficult, and a constant supply of eggs can be obtained. 
It is of no use expecting that May or June hatched birds 
will commence to lay before the spring ; they may do so, 
if the autumn and early winter are very favourable ; but 
that, of course, is not a matter that can be arranged. 
January and February hatched birds are too early to be 
used as layers, and do not, as a rule, answer for this purpose, 
as they begin about August, fall into a moult a little later 
on, and are very uncertain in their produce during the 
winter. For eggs, therefore, we prefer birds hatched in 
March and April, and not more than two years old. In a 
well-arranged yard, half the stock of layers will be bred 
each year, and half will be killed off annually. This plan 
we have seen adopted in many yards, and can strongly 
recommend it. 

Those who wish to have early chickens must follow the 
same rule. The pens should be mated together early in 
November, for the earliest hatches, and later in the month 
for those not required so soon. By using pullets of the 
first year for the former, and those twelve months older 
for the latter, with young and vigorous cockerels, fertile eggs 
may be expected within a few days of the birds being mated, 
and thus a succession of chickens produced, to be ready at 
the time when they are scarce and dear. Of course the 
number of pullets to each cock must be regulated, and 
phould not exceed half-a-dozen at the outside, and that 



Management of Pullets. 223 

number only for the most vigorous breeds. The birds will 
require to be housed comfortably and fed well, and in 
winter time the eggs should be gathered as soon after 
they are laid as is convenient, for they are apt to get frosted 
in the nest during severe weather ; this, as we all know, is 
a thing to be avoided if possible. 

There will, doubtless, be some who object to this plan of 
using pullets for breeding purposes. Chickens, they say, 
bred from immature birds never do very well, and this 
objection is perfectly correct so far as ordinary fowls are 
concerned, as doing this gradually weakens and redrces 
the size of any race of fowls. For birds that it is intended 
to rear to maturity, we do not like breeding from pullets 
of the first year, and, therefore, would always breed the 
laying fowls from birds of the second year, and also those 
to lay the eggs from which the early chicks are expected. 
This simply means that if last spring we bred some 
laying pullets, and also some specially suitable for table 
fowls, from two-year-old hens, we w r ould use the former to 
produce eggs for sale, and the latter to produce eggs from 
which we would hatch the chickens for early killing. As 
the latter are not intended to be reared, the breeding from 
immature birds can do little or no harm, and this is the 
only way by which very early chickens can be obtained. 
It is not natural for fowls to breed until March or April, 
when pullets are about twelve months old, so that, if 
we break through the rules of nature, we must be prepared 
to spend care and trouble in order to obtain what we 
require, but if we do this, we may reasonably hope that the 
result will far more than repay us. 



224 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE PREPARATION OF TABLE FOWLS, 

Superiority of Fiench System— Breeds of Fowls Suitable for Fattening — Methods 
— Duration of Process— Food — Fattening and Cramming Machines — Cram- 
ming by Hand — Killing Fowls — Dressing in France — Shaping-boards — Advan- 
tage of Dressing — Caponising. 

The question of preparing fowls for the table, is not one 
that can be neglected, even by those poultry keepers whose 
object is primarily eggs, as they have many birds which, 
if fattened and killed off, would sell profitably ; but, unfor- 
tunately, the question of preparing for the table is very 
little understood, and there is very great room for improve- 
ment in this respect. The great superiority of the French 
dressed poultry, which is evident to all who visit Paris, is 
due to three things : first, the greater care taken in breed- 
ing table fowls; second, the capital methods of fattening; 
and, third, the splendid way in which the birds are trussed 
when offered for sale. In our American markets we find a 
different state of things altogether. There is, at the outset, 
little or no care taken with respect to the breeds — except, 
perhaps, in one or two districts; the birds are, as a rule, 
picked up out of the farmyard and killed at once, without any 
preparatory feeding whatever; and they are, as a rule, simply 
plucked," not even drawn (much less dressed and trussed, 
except in New England), and with head and feet on. We 
hope, however, that a change for the better will soon take 



The Preparation of Table Fowls, 225 

place ; and there are signs that lead ns to hope that a consider- 
able improvement will be found within a few years. Prejudice 
is hard to kill, and it may be that the French plan of trussing 
will never be adopted in this country ; but, if a system of fatten- 
ing becomes general, that will be a considerable step in advance. 
We have already pointed out in previous chapters, the kinds 
of fowls most suitable for table purposes, therefore it is not 
necessary to enumerate them here ; but we may mention 
again, that those birds which have the meat upon the breast 




Fig. 13.— Chnsty's Faltening Pen. 



and not upon the thighs, are generally the best for fattening. 
The question we have now to deal with, is that of the fatten- 
ing of the fowls, and the methods adopted in France are 
worthy of being fully described here. The commonest plan 
in France is to keep the chickens in square pens, just 
sufficiently large to allow them moving room, but no more. 
In some instances a room is completely lined out with these 
pens, and, when all the pens are full, and feeding time is on, 
then the scene is a very busy one. The partitions are made 



226 Profitable Poultry Keeping* 

of wood, and the front half of the floors of the same 
material ; but the back half is formed of wire rods, so that 
the droppings can fall into sliding trays, full of earth, provided 
below each row of pens for this purpose. The fronts are 
formed either of wire rods or of wood, with an oblong hole 
just sufficiently large to allow the bird's head to come 
through for feeding purposes, as is shown in fig. 13, 
which is an appliance for fattening twenty - four birds 
introduced by Messrs. Christie and Co. If there is only 
one row of pens, then the tops are made to open, for the put- 
ting in and taking out of the birds ; but when two or more 
rows are placed one above another, then the fronts are made 
removable. The rooms in which the pens are kept are always 
warm and well ventilated, but dark, as the chicks are 
found to be much more contented than when kept in the 
light. Thorough cleanliness is observed, both in the pens 
and the feeding-troughs, which are placed in front of the 
cages, and the birds are fed four or five times a day. Such 
a house as this is easily fitted up, as both wood and wire are 
cheap, or the small fattening pens can be made in sets of 
three, six, or twelve, by any handy joiner. The compart- 
ments should be fifteen inches from back to front, twelve 
inches wide, and eighteen inches high, which will be large 
enough for all ordinary sized fowls. The trays must not be 
omitted, and whenever the pens are made more than one tier 
high, each row had better be made separate, as this will greatly 
facilitate cleaning. 

The period in which fowls may be fattened varies very con- 
siderably, but about three weeks, if properly managed, should 
bring them into capital condition. Some of the dead fowls 
shown at the French shows, are fattened for a much longer 
period, and we have heard that a prize pair of birds had 
been in preparation no less than nine weeks, but for ordinary 
purposes the period we have named is quite sufficient. Tho 



Fattening. 227 

food given should consist of indian, barleymcal, oatmeal, or 
buckwheat meal, all fresh and sweet, and mixed with skim- 
milk. Any of these meals may be given separately, but the 
better plan is to have a mixture made of equal parts of each, 
to which a little fat, such as lard, or dripping from meat, is 
added just before the milk. It is wise to boil the milk first, 
and mix the food stiff, but not too pasty — crumbly moist is 
the best definition we can give of it. This should be supplied 
to the birds warm, and when they appear satisfied what is left 
in the troughs should be taken, made into finger-pieces shaped 
like a bolus, and after dipping these in milk one or two may 
be put down the throat of each fowl, or, if the crop of any one 
is found to be unfilled, as many as will fill it up. There are 
some poultry fatteners who do not allow the birds to eat 
anything naturally, but cram them entirely in the w r ay 
described. This is, however, unnecessary, and entails more 
labour than the plan we have recommended, without any 
corresponding advantage. Two or three pounds can be added 
to the weight of a large chicken in about three weeks by 
this method, and the flesh will be of the finest colour and 
texture, more succulent, and in every way superior to that 
of the fowls ordinarily purchased in the poulterers' shops. A 
demand for such birds will soon grow up, and the prices 
obtained will repay all the trouble and labour expended. 
We know instances where orders cannot be half supplied — 
orders from private families, and at very good prices indeed, 
and a little effort would secure the same result in most 
places. 

Another system of fattening in France, is by means of cir- 
cular and revolving cages, some consisting of over two hun- 
dred compartments, and with these are cramming machines. 
The cage revolves upon a centre pivot, and the birds are 
fastened into the compartments by straps fastened to their 
legs. The cramming apparatus is charged with liquid food, 



228 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

made of buckwheat meal .mixed with milk, to which a little 
suet or fat is added. This is fitted into a square cage in 
which the feeder stands, and in the larger machines he can 
elevate this cage to any tier he wishes to be at. As soon as 
the revolving cylinder is turned, and one of the compartments 
thus brought opposite to hirn, he seizes hold of the inmate 
with the left hand, deftly opening its beak at the same time, 
and holding in his right hand the brass nozzle of an india- 
rubber tube connected with the machine, inserts this into the 
throat of the bird, then with his foot presses a treadle, and 
sufficient of the liquid for one meal is forced into the crop of 
the fowl. The process is repeated with each bird four or five 
times a day, and they are in prime condition in three or four 
weeks. Many think the process a cruel one, but we have 
watched it repeatedly, and can vouch for the fact that the 
fowls are always eager for their turn to come. 

In some parts of Sussex, England, and in France also, 
really the same system is adopted, though the method 
employed is rather varied. Cages line the room, in the 
centre of which an attendant is seated on a bench, having 
a cramming machine with a short nozzle pointing towards 
him. Another attendant hands him a fowl, into the mouth 
of which he inserts the nozzle of the crammer, and, pressing 
a treadle with his foot, the food is injected into it. Mean- 
while, another bird has been brought and is exchanged 
for the one fed, so that no time is wasted. We have seen 
it stated, that a couple of active men can feed two hundred 
birds in an hour in this way. 

Where cramming is preferred, and we ourselves see no 

objection whatever to it, perhaps the best plan is that 

adopted by Madame Aillerot, a great French poultry 

breeder and fattener, famous for the excellence of her 

stock, and who has for several years taken first prize for 

dressed poultry at the great Paris exhibitions. Buckwheat 



Best Mode of Killing, 229 

meal, suet, and milk are made up into patons, as the 
finger-pieces are called. The paste is first well worked 
together until it is very smooth, and with a dish or 
basket of these patons the round is commenced. The 
head of the bird to be fed is taken into the left hand, the 
beak opened, and three or four of the crams, which are 
first dipped in milk, put down the throat. Birds are so 
fed about four times a day, and the only drink given is 
milk, the result being that the flesh is beautifully white 
and tender when killed. But, whatever be the system 
adopted, it is absolutely necessary to carefully watch the 
birds, and as soon as they are seen to be losing their 
appetite, or to show signs of going off — for if the fattening 
is too much prolonged the fowls begin to lose flesh again, 
instead of gaining it — they must be killed forthwith. 

Much depends upon the manner of killing fowls for the 
table, and the appearance of the birds when dressed will be 
largely affected in this way. But no matter what system 
is adopted, the birds should be starved for fifteen or eighteen 
hours before being killed, so that all the food in the crop may 
be consumed. Often we see chickens offered for sale with tV» 
crops full of grain, the result of which is that it soon begins 
to sour, and the fowls lose that fresh smell which they would 
otherwise have retained for a considerable time longer. The 
ordinary plan is to dislocate the neck, in which case death 
is instantaneous, as the spinal nerves, arteries, and veins 
are all torn asunder, the head remaining attached to the 
body only by the skin. The disadvantage of this plan is 
that if the fowls are hung up, there is a large accumulation 
of blood in the neck, which tends to decomposition ; but 
this can be easily avoided by making a deep cut in the 
roof of the bird's mouth, when the blood will flow freely 
away. Then there is the simpler method of chopping 
the head off, but to both plans some persons, object on 

Q 



230 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

account of the movements of the fowls, which continue for 
some minutes after the neck is broken or cut. These 
movements are due to muscular irritability, and the bird 
is not sensible of any pain ; but, if objected to, the body can 
be put into a basket until after the movements have ceased. 
We think, however, that this is a feeling soon overcome, and 
that the best plan is to tie the fowl by the legs, and hang it 
to a hook in the wall; then break the neck, and make a 
cut so that the blood can run away. Death can also bo 
caused by cutting the throat, in which case it is imme- 
diate, or by simply passing a sharp knife through the roof 
of the mouth to the brain, but the plan we have recom- 
mended will be found the simplest and most effective in all 
respects. 

One of the reasons mentioned by us for the great supe- 
riority of French fowls as seen in the markets, lies in 
the dressing of the birds after they are killed. The Gallic 
poulterers have reduced this to the nature of a science, 
for it is recognized that the method of preparation has 
much to do with the appearance of the birds, both when 
offered for sale and when on the table. The fowls are 
plucked immediately they are killed — not left with the feathers 
on them, as is too often the case here — and are then 
laid upon shaping-boards with their backs upward. One 
of these boards is simply a flat piece of wood, about the 
same width as the fowl to be placed upon it, having a block 
at each end, one to support the neck and the other the 
rump, and thus the bird is kept perfectly level. Great care 
is taken to see that the bird is manipulated before it gets 
cold and set, and this is first done by bending in the rib 
bones, after which the knee is pressed into the back, the 
breast forced inwards, and the legs fastened over the breast 
so as to keep it in its place. The fowl is then placed upon 
the shaping-board back upwards, and a wet linen cloth 



Dressing Fowls. 231 

fastened tightly down over it, by means of tapes tied round the 
bottom board. When kept in this way for twelve hours, the 
flesh is firm and the whole appearance shapely, with no 
loose flabby flesh to repel the sight. This shaping of the 
birds accounts for the great difference between French fowls 
and our own, and there is no doubt but that the trouble 
involved is amply repaid. The method offers other advan- 
tages, as well as that of mere appearance. When the cook 
gets the bird, she cuts the string which fastens the legs, for 
the shaping-boards and cloths are not sold with the fowl, 
and forces these down again, which brings the meat out on 
the breast without the bone rising. When on the table, the 
carver does not meet with the pieces of bone which obstruct 
the passage of the knife in an English dressed fowl, and 
it is a pleasure to be able to cut slice after slice off the 
breast. This is one reason why French fowls appear to 
have so much meat on them, but, it is also a fact, that they 
are fed up to greater weights than are fowls in America. 
We have seen a statement, that at one of the great Paris 
shows, the first prize pair of La Fleche fowls weighed 
twenty pounds, plucked and dressed, whilst the pullets of 
the same breed turned the scale at sixteen pounds the pair. 
It may not be possible to adopt the French system, as 
just described, in its entirety in this country, but, at the 
same time, we do not see why a portion of it might not be 
grafted on to our own plan, or plans. For instance, there 
would be no difficulty, either as regards expense or trouble, 
in using the shaping-boards and cloths, by which means 
the birds would be braced up and made shapely, and thus 
do away with the soft appearance which is so objectionable. 
In all our principal markets it is found that birds well 
dressed bring more money than those sent in a careless 
manner, and labour spent in this way is never lost. It is 

Q 2 



Profitable Poultry Keeping, 



6 



customary for some poulterers to break the breastbone 
of fowls, in order to make them have a full appearance, but 
this only hides bad work in the fattening process, and it is 
thoroughly unnecessary, when the birds are properly fed 
before killing. It is also a source of annoyance to the 
carver, preventing slices being cut off the breast as easily 
as they otherwise would be, and at the same time accounting 
for the ragged appearance of the cut, when laid upon the 
plate. Properly selected, well fattened, and carefully dressed, 
there is no need for such a practice as this, and the sooner 
it is abandoned the better. Prejudice is undoubtedly hard 
to kill, but it is not impossible to overcome it, and the 
benefit to both producer and consumer is so striking, that 
it would not be long before prejudice would acknowledge its 
error, by following in the same course. 

This would appear to be a suitable opportunity for saying 
something about another custom, which is largely adopted 
in France, but which has never become very general in this 
country, namely, that of caponising, which is the taking 
away from cockerels the power of reproduction, by the doing 
of which, the weight of the birds, and the tenderness of the 
flesh, are both greatly increased, and fowls so treated are 
to be met with very generally all over the Continent, at least 
in those districts where poultry breeding is largely practised. 
In some places pullets are also operated upon, for a young 
hen that has never laid, is regarded as daintier than any 
male bird, but, as a rule, these are fed up and killed before 
laying has commenced, so that there is no need to subject 
them to the operation. One of the best descriptions of 
caponising is that given in Tegetmeier's Poultry Book, 
which is of itself a translation from a French treatise by 
Mdlle. Millet Robinet :— 

V The instrument employed in the operation should be 



Canonising* 



^jj 



very sharp ; a surgeon's small operating-knife, termed a 
Curved-pointed bistoury, is far bettor than an ordinary knife, 
as it makes a much neater wound, and so increases greatly 
the chances of healing; or a curved-pointed penknife may 
be used. A stout noodle and wuxed thread are also requisite ; 
a small curved surgical needle will he found much more 
Convenient in use than a common straight one. 

"It is necessary that there should ho two persons to 
perform the operation. The assistant places the bird on 
its right side on the knees of the person who is about to 
operate, and who is seated in a chair of such a height as 
to make his thighs horizontal. The back o( the bird is 
turned towards the operator, and the right leg and thigh 
held firmly along the body, the left being drawn back 
towards the tail, thus exposing the left think, where the 
incision has to be made. After removing the feathers the 
skin is raised up, just behind the last rib, with the point 
of the needle, so as to avoid wounding the intestines, and 
an incision along the edge of the last rib is made into 
tho cavity o( the body sufficiently large to admit of tho 
introduction of the linger. If any portion of the bowels 
escape from the wound it must be carefully returned. The 
forefinger is then introduced into the cavity, and directed 
behind the intestines towards the back, somewhat to the left 
side of the middle line of the body. 

11 If the proper position is gained (which is somewhat diffi- 
cult to an inexperienced operator, especially if the cock is of 
full size), the linger comes into contact with the left testicle, 
which in a young bird of four months is rather larger than 
a full-sized horse-bean. It is moveable, and apt to slip 
under the finger, although adhering to tho spine ; when 
felt it is to be gently pulled away from its attachments 
wiih the linger and removed through the wound — an opera- 



234 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

tion which requires considerable practice and facility to 
perform properly, as the testicle sometimes slips from 
under the finger before it is got out, and, gliding amongst 
the intestines, cannot be found again readily ; it may, 
however, remain in the body of the animal without much 
inconvenience, although it is better removed, as its presence 
is apt to excite inflammation. 

" After removing the left testicle, the finger is again 
introduced, and the right one sought for and removed in a 
similar manner. It is readily discovered, as its situation 
is alongside of the former, a little to the right side of the 
body. Afterwards the lips of the wound are brought 
together and kept in contact with two or three stitches 
with the waxed thread. No attempt should be made to 
sew up the wound with a continuous seam, but each stitch 
should be perfectly separate, and tied distinctly from the 
others. 

"In making the stitches great care should be taken; 
the skin should be raised up so as to avoid wounding the 
intestines with the needle, or including even the slightest 
portion of them in the thread — an accident that would 
almost inevitably be followed by the death of the animal. 

"After the operation the bird had better be placed under 
a coop in a quiet situation, and supplied with drink and 
soft food, such as sopped bread. After a few hours it is 
best to give him his liberty, if he can be turned out in 
some quiet place removed from the poultry -yard, as, if 
attacked by the other cocks, the healing of the wound 
would be endangered. 

" After the operation the bird should not be permitted 
to roost on a perch, as the exertion of leaping up would 
unquestionably injure the wound ; it should, therefore, at 
night be turned into a room where it is obliged to rest on 



Afler-Treatme7ii of Capons, 235 

the floor previously covered with some clean straw. For 
three or four days after the operation the bird should be 
fed on soft food ; after that time it may be set at liberty, 
for a short period, until it has recovered entirely from the 
operation, when it should be put up to fatten." 



236 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 



CHAPTER XXI. 



THE DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



General Treatment of Disease — Causes — Apoplexy — Bronchitis — Bumble Foot — 
Catarrh — Consumption — Cramp — Cropbound — Diarrhoea — Diphtheria — Egg 
Organs — Feather Eating — Gapes — Roup — Cholera. 

Such a work as this would be incomplete were no reference 
made to the diseases of poultry. We do not intend to go 
into any long descriptions of the diseases which affect 
domestic fowls, for they would mystify the reader, but shall 
give short descriptions sufficient to enable a disease to be recog- 
nized, and the best methods of treatment. It is a fact, however, 
that the treatment of disease in birds presents a considerable 
amount of difficulty to the ordinary poultry keeper, for the 
body of the fowl being covered with feathers, and there being 
so few ways in which the special complaints can be diagnosed, 
one form of disease can very easily be mistaken for another. 
There are, however, symptoms to be found accompanying all 
diseases that may, by a little careful examination, be dis- 
covered, and from these it is possible to learn, what is the 
matter with a fowl. We may say that, where there are a 
goodly number of fowls, it is much better to kill any bird 
right off that presents the appearance of having an infectious 
disease upon it, rather than to run the risk of allowing it to 
communicate the same to others. If the bird so affected be 
a very valuable one, then an effort may be made to save it ; 



The Diseases of Poultry. 237 

but it will generally be found cheaper in the long run to kill 
it. Especially is this so with roup, which is a most 
infectious and fatal disease ; and when it once gets into a 
yard, is very difficult indeed to get rid of. In any case, 
when a bird is seen to be ailing, it should be put somewhere 
by itself, so that it may not be near the other, fowls ; and 
should the complaint from which it is suffering be a con- 
tagious or infectious one, then probably the other birds can 
be kept free from it ; but if it is not, no harm will have 
been done. This is a rule which should never be broken ; 
and, if the attendant will every day look round the fowls, he 
will soon see if any are moping or refusing their food, and if 
these are removed, as we have suggested, disease may and 
will, in many cases, be kept down. 

There can be little doubt that diseases have been greatly 
fostered and increased by the present system of keeping 
fowls. Naturally birds are subject to but few diseases; but 
the feeding upon rich or unsuitable foods, over-crowding and 
keeping upon the same ground for a long period, gradual 
weakening of the system by in-breeding, and exposure by 
sending to shows, all have had the tendency to make the 
birds more subject to various forms of disease, to which. at 
one time they were entire strangers. Hence the necessity 
for treating fowls in a common-sense manner ; for by this 
means much may be done in the way of preventing disease, 
which is at all times much better than cure, and much easier 
also. It would be beyond our province to go very deeply 
into the treatment of diseases, but for facility of reference 
we will give them in alphabetical order. 

Apoplexy.- -Birds, which have been apparently in good 
health, are sometimes found lying on the floor of the fowl- 
house, being unable to move, having fallen from their perches. 
This is apoplexy, and is the result of over-feeding, by which we 



238 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

mean not only too much food, but also too rich food. Indian 
corn has been found to be a great cause of this disease ; and 
the death of one bird, should be taken as an indication that 
the others can only be saved, by reducing the food both in 
quantity and quality. If the bird so affected is not dead, a 
vein on the .under side of one wing should be opened, and 
the blood taken will reduce the pressure on the brain. The 
bird should be fed on light food for some time, and kept in a 
quiet place. 

Bronchitis. — When a cold settles on the lungs or chest, 
instead of in the head, and the bird is constantly coughing, 
without having any other symptoms of cold, then it is a form 
of bronchitis. The bird should at once be removed to a 
warm, moist atmosphere, which will generally be sufficient 
to effect a cure, though a few doses of homoeopathic tincture 
of aconite will materially assist it. A warm day must be 
chosen for returning the fowl to its ordinary house, and the 
same precaution is necessary in all bronchial or respiratory 
affections. For this disease, Mr. Tegetmeier recommends 
the administration of one grain of calomel and one- eighth 
of a grain of tartar emetic to be given at night. 

Bumble Foot. — Dorkings and Houdans are subject to 
this more than any other varieties, though we have found it 
in others. A wart-like substance appears in the ball of the 
foot, and if allowed to grow the bird becomes entirely lame. 
The cause is generally high perches, but constant walking 
upon cement or stone will have the same effect. The corn 
should be removed with a sharp knife, and t!w part 
be touched with nitrate of silver, after which it is better to 
keep the bird on clean straw for a few days. The inflamma- 
tion may be reduced by bathing the foot with warm water, 
and the heat of the body should be also reduced by some 
aperient medicine. 



The Diseases of Poultiy. 239 

Catarrh oe Common Cold. — This complaint is indicated 
by the same symptoms as we find in human beings, namely, 
a running at the nostrils, and a slight swelling of the eyes. 
It arises from cold or exposure, and if not attended to may 
develop into roup or consumption, both of which should be 
consulted for further information. For cure, the bird should be 
kept in a warm place, and have doses of roup pills, or homoeo- 
pathic tincture of aconite, and have nutritious food, rather 
stimulating in its nature. 

Cholera. — See page 244. 

Consumption. — This is often an hereditary disease, and 
when so is impossible to cure ; but it is also caused by damp, 
dark, badly ventilated houses. Scrofulous tubercles form in 
the lungs, and when the bird takes cold, that settles there. 
The bird is seen to gradually waste away ; there is cough and 
constant expectoration, and the poor thing soon dies, amass 
of bones and feathers. No bird suspected to have any seeds 
of consumption in it should ever be bred from, but if the 
disease is acquired, not hereditary, then it may be cured if 
taken in time. Good housing, wholesome and abundant diet, 
are necessary, and capsules of cod-liver oil with quinine, or 
Parish's chemical food, and capsules of cod-liver oil only, will 
be the best treatment. We should, however, strongly urge 
that any bird so affected, even if apparently cured, be not 
bred from, as there is always danger of its transmitting the 
disease to its progeny, and the system must be weakened. 

Cramp. — Chickens kept upon a clay soil, or in a damp 
place, are often subject to cramp, which is known by the 
toes of the birds beginning to curl in, and then the bird has 
to walk or its knuckles. When discovered, the chicken 
should be placed on a perfectly dry floor, and fed upon stimu- 
lating foods. It will also be a help towards cure, if the feet 
and legs are bathed with warm water, and afterwards rubbed 
with turpentine. 



240 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

Cropbound. — Fowls, from various reasons, are sometimes 
unable to pass the food from the crop into the gizzard, and 
the former becomes charged with food, hanging like a bag in 
front of the bird. If not relieved, it will soon die of starva- 
tion, for, no matter how much it may eat, none of the food 
can pass into the stomach so long as the obstruction remains. 
When discovered, some milk and warm water should be 
poured down the throat of the bird, to soften the food in the 
crop, which should then be w r ell kneaded with the hands. 
Often, if dealt with early, this will be found sufficient, but if 
not, then an incision must be made through the skin to the 
crop, and its contents removed with the aid ef an egg-spoon. 
Care must be taken to see that all is removed, for if the 
original cause of the obstruction be left, then all will have to 
be done over again. The crop should be washed out with 
warm water, and must then be stitched up, the inner skin 
first and the outer one afterwards, for which purpose silk or 
horsehair are the best materials. The bird needs to be 
fed on soft food, such as sopped bread, for three or four days, 
and kept without water, when it will be none the w r orse for 
the operation. 

Diarrhcea. — The use of bonemeal will generally prevent 
this complaint, which may arise from an insufficient supply 
of grain, or from unwholesome food. Some boiled rice 
mixed with powdered chalk will often stop it, and we should 
not advise any stronger remedy in slight cases. When, 
however, the diarrhoea becomes excessive ; then chlorodyne, 
given in water as prescribed on the bottles, is the best thing 
for it. 

Diphtheria.' — We have never heard of this disease making 
its appearance except in exhibition yards, and the ordinary 
poultry keeper need not fear it, except when buying birds 



The Diseases of Poultry. 241 

Its indications are, severe cold with high fever, and in the 
throat white spots are seen filling the glottis. Any hird 
so affected should be killed forthwith, as it is one of the 
most contagious and fatal diseases known, and when once 
it gets into a yard, it is not often got out again without the 
sacrifice of all the stock. 

Egg Organs. — The delicate mechanism by means of 
which the egg is formed and voided, is sometimes put out 
of order, but, as a rule, this is the result of bad feeding, 
which stimulates or forces the organs, and the ordinary course 
of nature is upset. Or, it may be, that the insufficient supply 
of shell-forming materials, results in soft or shell-less eggs 
being voided. Birds at liberty arc not often so troubled, 
and those in confinement need to be carefully fed, and to 
be supplied with the materials for shell formation. Some- 
times a hen becomes egg-bound, when a little castor oil 
may be tried, but if that fails, then a little olive oil should 
be injected into the oviduct, an«d this will generally securo 
the object in view. Great care must be taken in so treating 
a bird, as rough usage may easily break the egg, such a 
circumstance being almost always followed by a fatal 
result. 

» 

Feather Eating. — Few birds at liberty are ever found to 
acquire the disgusting habit of feather eating, and in confine- 
ment it is found mostly amongst the Asiatic varieties and 
Houdans. When once contracted it is very difficult indeed 
to cure the habit, and it is best to remove any bird found 
so transgressing, and, if not valuable, to kill it, at the same 
time trying to remove any cause that may exist. 

Idleness is a very great cause of feather eating, and 
hence the having nothing to do, tempts birds in confinement 
to pluck out each other's feathers. It may also be that 



242 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

birds so confined, do not obtain something that is necessary 
to them, which we know nothing of, and cannot supply, but 
which at liberty they can find for themselves, and the 
feathers satisfy the craving thus engendered. And for 
this reason we have sometimes found bonemeal of great 
service, once curing a hen by putting a large quantity of 
this into every dish of food she had for several days, giving 
her soft food all the time. But in other cases we have known 
this remedy to fail entirely, and we are fain to acknowledge, 
that at times we have been completely puzzled how to proceed. 
Thirst also is said to induce the practice, and the treatment 
recommended in the following translation from an article 
which recently appeared in a French poultry journal, will 
indicate further measures : — 

" The cause appears to us, to be attributed to the general 
discomfort felt by all classes of poultry during the cold 
weather, and especially the east winds. The poor things, 
huddled together in a sheltered corner, dare not come out 
in the open unless at feeding time, and then they never 
scratch about, nor look for insects, grass, or those 
little nothings which constitute the essential part of their 
food, and which is found in every run well attended to. 
Under these circumstances the want of animal food has 
made itself felt, and the opportunity and temptation being 
within their reach, they have pulled at one another's 
feathers, which they eat with evident satisfaction. The 
only immediate remedy is to set them at liberty, but as 
this cannot be done in every case, one has to be satisfied 
with the means at his disposal. Let them have, several 
times a day, green-meat. Mix with the soft food, some 
meat cut up into small pieces. Avoid tainted meat. 
Kenew the sand in the runs, and especially put dry sand 
under the sheds where the fowls generally dust themselves. 
Care must be taken with a hen, although not dcked herself, 



The Diseases of Poultry. 243 

but always pursuing the others, to isolate her. One single 
bird is sufficient to set a bad example. In small runs it 
is the cock which is generally picked first. Is it from 
excess of affection, or is it spite and revenge ? It is difficult 
to say. At all events, he seldom resents it, and allows 
himself to be plucked without resistance. In this case the 
best way to protect him, is to rub him over with a sponge 
dipped in paraffin. In repeating this operation two or 
three times, at an interval of some days, the hens will 
entirely cease to strip their lord and master." 

[I believe a judicious salting of the food will cure a feather- 
eating flock almost always. W.] 

Gapes. — Chickens are sometimes troubled with what is 
known as gapes, so called from the constant gaping of the 
mouth. This action is the result of the presence of worms 
in the throat, and if these are not removed, the chicken 
soon dies from suffocation. The cause of these worms is 
difficult to ascertain. Some are able to prevent them, by 
the application to the heads of newly-hatched chicks, of a 
mercurial ointment, but in other cases they appear to arise 
out of the ground, and all efforts to get rid of them are in 
vain. The worms can be dislodged from the throat, by 
dipping a small quill feather in turpentine, and then 
passing it into the throat, where it is twisted around and 
jerked out, thus dislodging the worms. Fumigating with 
carbolic acid is also a most effectual cure, and where chicks 
are largely affected, it is worth some trouble to save their 
lives. We have also seen recommended, placing the chicks 
in a box and dusting them well with line lime, which gets 
into the throat and makes the birds cough, thus bringing 
out the worms. In both these cases care must be taken 
not to kill the birds by suffocation, which may easily be 
done if the treatment is continued too long. 

Koup. — It 1 s been stated that cold never becomes roup 



244 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

without the blood is in a scrofulous condition, and we 
are inclined to think that this is so. Mere cold is not 
difficult of cure, whilst roup is, and the latter is best known 
by the breath having an offensive smell in conjunction 
with the cold. It is necessary, therefore, to do more than 
merely attend to the cold ; something to counteract the 
affection of the blood is needed. A roupy bird may be 
known by the offensive breath already spoken of, the discharge 
from the nostrils, and the swollen face and eyes. It is ex- 
ceedingly contagious, and will soon spread through a whole 
yard, if not arrested. In consequence, birds affected should be 
rigidly secluded, or killed off at once. Sulphur or charcoal 
are the best to correct the scrofula, and Walton's roup 
pills or copaiba capsules should be usel for the cold. The 
face, nostrils, and mouth should be well washed with 
Condy's fluid, or solution of chlorinated soda, so as to kill 
the mucus which gathers there. Especial care is necessary 
to see that the birds do not communicate it one to the other, 
as in drinking out of the same fountain, or eating out of the 
same dish. All dishes, etc., should be at once washed in 
diluted carbolic acid, and the houses well lime-washed out. 

Cholera. — This is an epidemic disease peculiar to this 
country, attacking and often nearly destroying isolated flocks 
and yards having poor sanitary arrangements or care. It is 
probably malarial in its character, affects the liver, poisons 
the blood, causes violent diarrhoea, and is often exceedingly 
rapid in its action and termination. The fowl attacked is 
droopy, weak, in high fever, with thirst, rough and draggled 
plumage, and has diarrhoea with green droppings. Drs. Dickey 
and Merry recommend pills as follows : Blue mass, 60 gr. ; 
camphor, 25 gr. ; Cayenne pepper, 30 gr. ; rhubarb, 48 gr. ; 
laudanum, GO drops ; made in 20 pills and given one every 
four hours till they act freely, and, when they have acted, 
half a teaspoonf ul of castor oil and ten drops of laudanum to 
each fowl. 



Points of Management. 245 



CHAPTER XXII. 



POINTS OF MANAGEMENT. 



Importance of Details — Keeping an Account — Rotation of Crops — Poultry Manure 
— The Dust-bath — The Preservation of Eggs— Packing Eggs — Sending Eggs 
ta Market. 

Our last chapter must be given up to those details of man- 
agement, which we have not been able to touch upon 
previously, or only in an indirect manner. It must not be 
assumed, however, that because we have left these to the last, 
that they are unimportant ; on the contrary, they are most 
important, and though they may be regarded as only details, 
yet these details will have a very great influence upon the 
result, for the neglect of one thing only will, in the course of 
a year, even if most trivial in itself, become an appreciable 
matter. This we need not dwell upon, for the same thing 
is found in all pursuits, and in every department of life. 

We should, at the outset, urge all who go in for poultry 
keeping to keep a strict account of every item of expenditure 
and receipt, and to annually make a balance sheet, for there 
can be no question that in this, as in many other matters, 
there is far too great laxity in the keeping of accounts. 
Wealth} 7 persons, who do not care how much a thing costs 
them, may be permitted to dispense with all such records as 
we are now recommending, yet even they will find it advanta- 



246 Profitable Poultry Keeping, 

geous to have them. But so far as those are concerned who 
look upon their poultry as a means of adding to their income, 
and with whom they must be profitable if kept at all, it is 
almost essential that they should set down every item of 
expenditure and receipt, not only for reference and as a 
means of seeing whether the fowls pay, but also for future 
guidance. Armed with a full and faithful record of a year's 
work, an intelligent poultry keeper will be able to avoid past 
mistakes, to see in what direction he may develop his busi- 
ness, with the greatest probabilities of success, to know 
which breeds have proved the most profitable, what expenses 
can be cut down, and, it may be, can discover how to turn 
a loss into a profit. Figures are stubborn things, but a 
study of them has saved many a man from ruin, and we 
believe that in every pursuit of life, whether it be our ordinary 
affairs, or those outside things which minister to our plea- 
sures, but especially in matters of business, a strict account 
should be kept of every item of expenditure. Without 
this, there is great danger of getting the balance on the 
wrong side. We have no wish to write a homily on the 
economies of life, though such a subject is full of the deepest 
interest, but this is not the proper place for it. We urge 
every one, however, whether the number of his birds be small 
or great, to keep an account of the same. The cost of a 
book in which to keep the account, need not be more than a 
shilling or two, and, except where very large numbers are 
kept, one book will be sufficient. A quarto book, bound in 
boards, ruled with % and cts. columns, and containing about 
a hundred pages, can be obtained for a quarter, and the 
majority of our readers will find this as large as they will 
require. 

The poultry keeper must begin his account by taking stock 
of all his birds, houses and appliances on hand at the beginning 



Points of Management. 247 

of the year (which does not necessarily mean January 1st), and 
the money talue of these will represent the capital invested 
in the yard. Then he will require several pages to be set 
aside for the cash account, in which all his money receipts 
and expenditure should be set down day by day, together with 
the particulars of the same. Next will come the egg account, 
which will show the number of eggs laid, and the way in 
which they are disposed of. If the number of fowls kept be 
only few, and not very fluctuating, it will not be requisite to 
have a poultry register ; but if the stock be a large one, then 
it will be advantageous to keep such an account, adding all 
the birds hatched or purchased, and, of course, taking from 
those the sold, killed, or otherwise disposed of. A hatching 
record is very useful during the breeding season, in which 
the date of setting the hens, the date the eggs are due, the 
number fertile and hatched, and breeds, can be enumerated. 
This prevents many mistakes being made, but in some yards 
a simpler plan is adopted, namely, that of hanging a card 
above each hatching box, upon which these particulars are 
entered, and all that need then be put in the books are the 
numbers hatched. At the end of the twelve months the 
stock of fowls, &c. should again be revalued, and a balance 
sheet made, showing the operations of the twelve months, 
with the result thereof. We must just remind the poultry 
keeper, that the value of eggs and chickens used in the 
household must be placed to the credit of the yard, or the 
balance sheet will not be a true one. 

In one of our earlier chapters, we hinted at a system which 
can be adopted by small farmers and other occupiers of land, 
in which the fowls really form one in a course of rotation of 
crops. This is not necessary on a large farm, for there the 
birds can be placed on the land after harvest, or, as we have 
sometimes seen, the houses maybe widely scattered apart, and 

it 2 



248 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

the fowls allowed to wander about even amongst the growing 
corn or roots. Fowls will do no harm to either of these crops, 
when they are four or six inches above the ground, and as they 
are as fully grown as this by the time the chickens need bo 
put out, there is no difficulty in adopting the plan ; the birds 
will thrive amain, for they will get just the food most suited 
to them — -insects and worms — and, in return, the crops will bo 
benefited by their droppings. Where smaller runs have to 
be given, it is a capital plan to have double runs to each 
house, using these on alternate years, and growing vegetables 
on the ground not in use. By this means the ground will be 
kept sweet and clean, it will not get contaminated, disease will 
be prevented, and the crops grown thereon will be very heavy 
indeed. Of course the system can be largely extended, and 
fields lying fallow for a year may be used for poultry keeping. 
This leads us to the subject of poultry manure. Although 
there is no doubt that the droppings from fowls is most 
valuable, though not quite so good as has sometimes been 
represented, it has not yet become a marketable commodity 
of any importance. There is a limited demand for it amongst 
gardeners, but, as a rule, it is much better to have some 
means of using, instead of selling, it. None should be 
wasted, and mixed with fine dry soil it becomes a most 
valuable manure for any kind of crops. We know one farmer 
near Aylesbury, who buys large quantities of the duck manure 
for his root crops, finding it the best he can get for them, 
and certainly the cheapest. It has been estimated that the 
droppings of a foAvl is worth fifty cents a year to the 
land, and if that is so, then the keeping of poultry be- 
comes of still greater importance than we have ever claimed 
for it. 

In our chapter on the sitting hen, we spoke of a dust 
bath, and this is needed by ordinary fowls also ; those 



The Dust Bath. 249 

who know the value of BUch a bath, both in summer 
and winter, consider it essentia] to successful poultry keep- 
ing. Ami how Pbw of onr poultry keepers there are, 
who give their fowls an opportunity o( revelling in a 
heap of loose earth or ashes, either in the hatching season, 
or when the ground is damp and they cannot obtain it 

naturally. 'Tho dust bath is to poultry, nature's cleaner 

and renovator, and is as necessary for cleansing the feathers 
of fowls from vermin and effete matter, as a cool pure water 

bath is to the person of cleanly habits. Poultry with free 
range in summer, will be able io help themselves to a dust 
bath, if they have to roll in the newly made tlower or 

vegetable beds, but with fowls in confinement the means 

and material must be supplied. A dry mass of fine Band 
or road dust, fine loam or eoal ashes, old mortar, or in fact 
anything of that kind will do. This mass oi' dry material 
should bo under a, shed to protect it from rain in summer 

time, and iii Ihe sunniest corner o( the hen-house or shed 
in winter. A capital plan is to have a small shed adjoining 
ihe fowl house, with or without, a connection thereto, and 

devote this entirely to the purposes oi' the dust bath. Such 
a shed need not be more than a couple id' feet high, ami 
should bo entirely open at the front, with a sloping roof to 
keep out the rain. 

If we watch the habits oi' all wild birds, wo e:in see them 

in the open clearings and on the country roads, at early 
sunrise, dusting themselves as rapidly as possible; and if 
we give our domestic fowls a chance, we can see an instinctive 

desire in the young-, as well ns the old, to serateh, and pul- 
verize the earth, if in lumps, and they will then adjust their 
leathers, and by the rapid aetion of their elaws dust them- 
selves thoroughly, and by shaking, rid themselves oi' lice. 
Tho dust bath is made more etl'eetivo by putting a handful 



250 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 

or two of sulphur and carbolic powder through the mass, 
and mixing them together. The ground should be excavated 
out six inches, or the shed have a front ledge of the same 
width, and this filled up with the ashes, or whatever is used. 
If of much less depth than this the birds will be unable to 
get a thorough cleansing. Cleanliness in every way is of 
the greatest importance. Uncleanliness about the fowls, their 
quarters, or their runs, is a sure cause of disease. It gener- 
ates vermin, and vermin saps the foundations of health. 
Hens will not lay well, nor thrive while infested with lice, 
or while they roost in filthy places, and inhale the noxious 
gases which emanate from their accumulated droppings. 
Ill-ventilated fowl houses, and the absence of light and sun, 
exert a powerful influence on the health of fowls. 

There are many poultry keepers who make a great mis- 
take, in that they do not take sufficient care to send their 
produce to market in the best way. We have already dealt 
with this subject in its relation to fowls, but it is also 
necessary to say a few words upon it so far as eggs are 
concerned. Purchasers of eggs know what a great difference 
there is in what are known as new-laid eggs, and we believe 
this is largely influenced by the method of preservation. 
Eggs can be kept for three or four weeks in a very simple 
manner, and it will be difficult for even an expert, at the 
end of that period, to tell the difference between such an 
egg, and one three or four days old. If they can be kept 
fresh for this length of time, they can be so kept for a 
shorter period, and as in many places it is convenient to 
get them to market only once a week, such a system as we 
are about to recommend will be found of the greatest value. 
The place selected for keeping eggs should be cool in 
summer, but not cold in winter, that is, it should be kept 
at a temperature of from 45 to 60 degrees all the year 



Preserving Eggs Fresh, 



25 1 



round. If too cold, the eggs will freeze and crack, if too 
warm, they will commence to decay and get stale sooner than 
they otherwise would. Shelves should be fitted up with holes 
bored in them, sufficiently large to keep the eggs upstanding, 
but, of course, not large enough to allow them to pass 
through. These shelves will be very inexpensive and will serve 
a lifetime. The eggs should be placed in these holes broad- 
end downwards, and tests have proved that they will keep 
fresh in this position, very much longer than with the broad 
end upwards. Some keep eggs in bran, but the pierced 




Fig. 14. — Travelling Egg Box. 



board is much preferable, and the free circulation of the 
air round the eggs, assists greatly in their preservation. 
Instead of the pierced shelves, cardboard partitions, as used 
in egg boxes, may be adopted, but we do not think that they 
are so good or so handy. 

The advantage of getting eggs to market as soon as 
possible after being laid, has led to the adoption of special 
boxes for the purpose of sending them by rail. The old 
system of packing in straw may serve very well where time 
is of little object, but it is clumsy and not very safe. The 
boxes we are now speaking of, are made in almost all sizes 
from one dozen upwards, and consist of strong square 



252 



Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



wooden boxes, generally with lock and key, inside of which 
are cardboard partitions, forming squares, of sufficient size 
to allow an egg to stand upright in each. Between each 
row, a sheet of thick felt is placed, and no other packing 
is required, the eggs travelling in this way with very little 
danger of breakage. Fig. 14 shows one of these boxes, hold- 
ing six dozen eggs. The benefits of the system a are obvious, 
for the boxes are easily filled, as easily emptied, and can 
be used over and over again, so that the first, is the only 
cost, and that is by no means a heavy one. Another kind 




Fig. 1 J.— The " OvirVr " Eg? Box. 



of package is that known as the " Ovifer," shown in Fig. 
15, the eggs in this being held by springs fixed to tin trays, 
which latter are fitted into a wooden box. It is customary with 
those who send their .eggs to market every day, to date each 
one as soon as collected, but, whilst in their case such a 
plan is to be recommended, for obvious reasons it would 
not be wise for others to do so. But when eggs can be sent 
out daily, better prices will be obtained, and present ex- 
press rates, as well as the cheap freight now charged by 



Facilities for Carriage. 253 

the railway companies, offer facilities to poultry keepers to 
reach consumers, which were never given before. Arrange- 
ments can often be made with hotels and large houses, 
for supplying eggs at good paying prices. The energetic 
poultry keeper, will take care to omit no opportunity of this 
kind, in order to make his profits as large as possible. 



INDEX. 





PAGE 




PAGE 


Account, Keeping an. . 22, 241 


Chicken yards .... 


30 


Adapting existing buildings 


. 34 


Chickens during the first few 




Andalusian Fowls 


. 79 


days ..... 


191 


Apoplexy 


223 


„ Early 


63 


Artificial heating of houses 


, 45 


„ Food of . . 192 


-197 


„ Incubation . , 


176 


,, How to sccuie early . 


218 


,, Mothers . . . 


200 


,, Management of . . 


194 


Aseel Fowls 


80 


,, Rearicg . 


189 


Attendant's house 


. 64 


Cochin Fowls .... 


84 


Aylesbury Ducks . . , 


137 


Cochins thirty years ago . . 


12 






Confinement, Effect of 


56 






Consumption .... 


235 


Bantam Fowls .... 


80 


Coops ..... 


193 


Bone Meil .... 


215 


Cottagers and poultry-keeping . 


21 


Brahma Fowls . 


, 83 


Cramming Fowls 


223 


Breeds, Choice of . . , 


69 


Cramp ..... 


235 


„ Hardy .... 


71 


Cropbound .... 


236 


,, Non-sitting . . , 


75 


Crops, Benefit to, by Gee>e 


147 


,, Sitters and moth r3 


76 


Cross-breeding ... 4 


,126 


Bronchitis .... 


231 


Cross v. pure-bred Fowls . 70 


126 


Bumblefoot . . . 


234 






Buying hirdi .... 


158 






,, eggs for hitting 


158 


Details in management, Import- 








ance of 


241 






Diarrhoea .... 


236 


Caponising Fowls . . 


, 228 


Diphtheria .... 


236 


Catarrh ..... 


2:55 


Diseases of Poultry . . . 


232 


Cayuga Ducks . . . 


. 140 


Dominique Fowls . . . 


89 


Chicken house, Floor for . 


. 67 


Dorking Fowls .... 


89 


„ „ Position of 


. 66 


Dressing Fowls, French system 




,, , , Size of 


, 68 


of 


226 



256 



Index. 





PAGE 




Duck farms 


134 


Game Fowls . . • . 


Ducks, Breeding, hatching, and 


Gapes ..... 


rearing .... 


143 


Geese, Bree Is of . 


,, Feeding of 


145 


,, in Norfolk 


,, in small runs . 


142 


,, Management of . . 


„ not to be kept with hens . 


133 


General-utility Fowls 


,, wa^er neede.l for breeders 


133 


Gradual commencement bc^t 


Dust-bath, The . 52, 17 


2, 244 


Gravel and grass runs 

Ground, Selection of . . . 


Egg organs, Affections of . 


237 




Eggs, airing during incubation . 


171 


Hamburgh Fowls . . 


, , Consumption of 


14 


Hatching boxes 


„ Formation of . . , 


190 


,, Management during 


,, How to secure early 


217 


Health and condition 


,, Packing .... 


247 


Hobby, Poultry-keeping ofien a 


,, Preservation of 


246 


Houses, Aspect of 


,, Prices of 


15 


, , and runs, S ze of . . 


,, Testing the . 


172 


,, Cheap. . . . 


„ Value of fresh . 


1G, 18 


,, Cost of 

,, elaborate ones not 
needed . 


Farms, The best plan for . 


fc7 


,, Floors in . 


Farm-yard mongrels . 


3 25 


,, Foundation for . . 


Fattening, Methods of 


221 


,, Framework for . . 


Feather-eating . 


237 


,, good ones required . 


Feeding of breeding stock 


. 1G1 


,, Importance of . . 


Fencing for runs . . , 


54 


„ in gardens . . 


Fertile eggs, When to expect 


t 161 


,, Materials for . . 


Floor for chicken-house 


67 


on wb.ee' s . . • 


Food, Effect of bad . 


, 203 


,, Position of Chicken 


,, for fowls in confinemen 


t 


,, Saving of timber. 


and at liberty . 


210 


,, Separate 


,, for sitting hens 


172 


,, Tenant's fixtures . 


„ quali'ies of the variou 


3 


,, too larg-^ oV>jectionab'e. 


grains 


. 211 


„ Ventilatior in 


„ the fuel of all life . 


. 207 


Walls of . 


,, What is needed ia . 


, 210 


., Windows and doors in . 


Fowls suitable for fattening 


. 221 


Housing of Ducks, The . . . 


France, Farms in 


14 


Hydro-incubator, The . . 


French Fowls . 


. 93 




French table Fowls, Superiority 


r 




of ... . 


. 220 


In-breeding, Evils ot . • 


Fruit trees in runs . 


. 59 


Incubation Artificial 



Index. 



Incubation, Period of • 

Incubator, The Hydro 
,, Owen's Tabular 

,, Arnold's Egg Oven 

,, Hearson's Champion 

„ New Centennial 

„ Perfect Hatcher 

„ Thermostatic 

Incubators, Advice to workers of 
„ American . 



PAGE 

1/4 

180 
184 
1S4 
185 
186 

isr 

187 
187 
186 



Killing Fowls .... 225 



Lings ban Fowls • . .104 
Leghorn Fowls . . . .107 



Malay Fowls . . . .111 

Mania, The Poultry . . .11 
Manure, The value of Poultry' . 244 

Minorca Fowls . . . .Ill 

Mongrel?, Farm-yard . . j.28 

Mothers, Artificial . . .200 

Muscovy Ducks . . .141 



Nest boxes .... 50 

Nest?, Making the . . . 168 

Non-sitting breeds ... 75 

Number of hens to cock bird . 160 



Ornamental Ducks . . .142 
Over-feeding, Effect of . . 209 



Packing eggs . . . .247 

Parent", Influence of . . 154 

Paris, Poultry in . .16 

Pay ? Does Poultry-keeping . 22 

Pekin Ducks . . . .139 



Peiches .... 
Pleasure in keeping Poultry 
Plymouth Rock Fowls 
Polish Fowls . 
Poultry, Diseas' s of . 

,, keeping, Recent increase 
cf interest in 

,, Who may keep . 

,, Who should not keep 
Preservation of Eggs 
Profit, Aids to secure 



Eats, Provision against 
Rearing Chickens 
Rouen Ducks . 
Roup 

Runs and fencing 
Runs, Changing tie 
,, Size of . 



2 57 

PACK 

48 

20 

117 

117 

232 

13 
18 
19 
246 
62 



67 
189 
138 
239 

54 

243 

2L-33 



Sale of eggs and CLicken3 
Scotch Grey Fowls . 
Selection, Errors in . 
Sheds . . . 
Silky Fowls . 
Sitters and motheis . 
Sitting Hen, The 
Sitting Hens, Food for 
,, ,, Place for 
Space required for Fowls 
Spanish Fowls . 
Stock birds, Importance of 

in selection of . 
Stocks, Improving present 
Suburban Residents . 



. 129 

. 118 

. 69 

. 35 

. 121 

. 76 
104-170 

. 172 

. 166 

. 53 

. 121 



care 



153 

131 

21 



75 
220 



Table Fowls .... 

, , , , Superiority of French 

Testing sex and fertility of eggs, 

Supposed ways of . .190 



258 



Index, 



PAGE 

Testing the eggs . . .712 

Turkeys as rearers . . .205 

,, Breeds and management 150 

„ Fattening . . .152 



Water 
Wild Duck 

Yard, Dividing the 
Yards, Plans fpr 



PAGE 

210-219 
. 136 

29 
. 23 



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